Spatial analysis and geographical information systems: a review of progress and possibilities

Abstract

The rapid expansion of GIS and the increasing availability of digital map data is resulting in a geographic data explosion of quite unparallelled historic proportions (Rhind et al. 1989). GIS has an exceptionally broad base of interested users covering a wide spectrum of disciplines and interests and has been successful because it meets basic common needs for geographic information technology. However, this geo-processing industry is deficient in the almost total absence of spatial analysis functionality. It is true that the broadly based cartographic origins to GIS placed far more emphasis on map manipulation than on map analysis and that there has been a failure to go beyond the map when contemplating analysis. Nevertheless, it is only a matter of time before attention will move on from the necessary but boring digital map database creation era with typically focused but limited management information uses, to one in which more emphasis is placed upon more general corporate uses of geographic information. It is inescapable that modelling and other spatial analytical uses of the data will gradually become more in demand. However, it is not a one-way process and there is need both for new analysis functions to be added to the GIS toolbox and also new data structures to support their development and application.