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“Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management,” Early GIS Research Paper by François Vigier, Jonathan Corson-Rikert, and Joy Hecht, 1989

Abstract

The paper “Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management” was written in July 1989 by François Vigier, Jonathan Corson-Rikert, and Joy Hecht under the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

The report reviews the emerging field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 1989, and summarizes its administrative and technical applications. It discusses the use of information systems in urban management, the development of computer mapping and geographic information systems, the management of streets and utilities, and potential system expansions for the technology.

A history of using GIS systems in urban development is related to I2UD’s latest focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) geographic imaging systems. Early concepts from 1989 can be compared to—or demonstrate the origins of—modern GIS mapping technologies.


[Excerpt: “Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management,” July 1989, p. 2]

“The evolution of computer technology over the past ten years offers new opportunities in this field to Third World cities. Software that integrates management systems with geographic data offers municipal officials new ways to approach technical problems, by addressing directly the spatial dimensions of the issues.

Conventional tools allow the development of quantitative estimates of future trends; only the ability to visualize their probable impacts in space allows a realistic conceptualization of growth or of changes in the quality of urban life. Planning strategies that are responsive to the pressures of rapid growth, effective in the management of the physical plant, and sensitive to the need to allocate scarce public resources depend on the merging of analytical techniques and spatial decisions.”

[Excerpt cont’, p. 8]

“Geographic information systems, linking maps and data base management systems make the storage and management of a wide range of spatial information possible. No longer an isolated component used to display results or store geographic data, computer mapping has become an affordable integral part of urban management.”

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Project Year:1989
Project Type:Research Paper
Geographic Regions:Global / None Specified
Reports:Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management (July 1989)
Authors:François Vigier; Jonathan Corson-Rikert; Joy Hecht
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:1989_07_002

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“Computerized Urban Management Methods: PROJECT, AFFORD and PALMS,” Early GIS Computer Software Documentation for Urban Management, 1987-1993

Abstract

Starting in 1987, team members at the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design developed a pilot suite of three computer software programs for urban management: PROJECT, AFFORD, and PALMS (Parcel-Based Land Management System). These programs were data simulation models designed to assist international public officials in assessing physical factors and financial resources for housing development and land planning.

Documents below include an AFFORD user manual, a PROJECT user manual and description, and a PALMS progress report, with maps and slides. Supporting documents include three student reports from the 1988 Design Studio, addressing the use of computerized systems: “Information Systems in the Developing World,” “Feasibility of Housing Surveys,” and “Long Term Human Activities and Ecosystem Responses.”



— 1989 — Mona Serageldin created “AFFORD,” a computer simulation model designed for public planning agencies, for making data assessments on physical standards and financing terms for the production and delivery of housing for limited income groups.

— 1987-1988 — François Vigier created “PROJECT,” a computer simulation model for programming and phasing large-scale public projects (housing developments, roadways or service corridors, regional rehabilitation). The model allowed the user to easily explore data interactions — among physical, economic and financial variables — to determine the feasibility of projects.

— 1991 — Jonathan Corson-Rikert created “PALMS” (Parcel-Based Land Management System) as a geographic information system database — and an applications library consisting of commonly encountered urban management decisions for planners.


More context on the Unit’s work with GIS can be found in: “Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management,” by François Vigier, Jonathan Corson-Rikert, and Joy Hecht, 1989 (Project ID: 1989_07_002). This essay reviewed the emerging field of GIS as of 1989 and the potential applications for urban planning.

Although not included below, Mona Serageldin and Sherif Lotfi also created a fourth program, “COMPUTE,” in 1993. This analytical model assessed the economic impact of urban land development projects in terms of four key indicators: employment generation, leverage ratio, NPV, and IRR, with a sensitivity analysis.

Project Year:1987-1993
Project Type:GIS Computer Software Program Documentation
Geographic Regions:Global / None Specified
Reports:
—
—
—
Student Reports:
Authors:François Vigier; Mona Serageldin; Peter Rowe; Daniel L. Schodek; Mara Graham; Joy Hecht; Michael W. Binford; Kristina Hill
Sponsors:Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture; Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Education; Climate Change
  
ID:1988_12_001

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Design Studio 1988: “Urban Infrastructure Planning and Programing in Developing Countries,” Chapters 1-7, Seminar Curriculum

Abstract

The Design Studio from Spring 1988, “Urban Infrastructure: Planning and Programming in Developing Countries” was developed by Mona Serageldin, with students and scholars from the Aga Khan Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

The 1988 Design Studio outlined problems and urban infrastructure programs, illustrated by maps, demographics, and case study reports. Curriculum materials give particular attention to support for the urban poor, with case studies on Indonesia, Bahrain, and Zhejiang Province in China. Seven chapters address infrastructure issues in light of rapid urbanization, including unemployment and underemployment in urbanizing countries, and an increased demand for basic needs like water supply and shelter.

A final Design Studio student report on Bahrain, features 99 pages of rich spatial, social, commercial, and architectural overview of historic Muharraq, Bahrain’s third largest city. Section 5.0 features a paper condensed from Arabic, by Tareq Wali, “Traditional Urban Fabric and Architecture,” including a substantial list of tables, maps, and references. Additional sections cover the historical evolution of the district:

  • 5.1: The Development of Muharraq;
  • 5.2: Morphology of the Traditional Urban Fabric & The Organization of Space;
  • 5.3: Commercial Element;
  • 5.4: Residential Elements; and
  • Annex: Notes on Building Materials and Architecture.



[Excerpt, Chapter 6, Paper B, The Urban Operational Perspective. “Introduction to the Course Background,” for “Urban Infrastructure, Planning and Programming in Developing Countries, p. 1.1]

“Virtually without exception in the cities and towns of the developing world, the ability to plan, finance and implement urban development programs and infrastructure programs in particular, is in a state of crisis. Severe deficiencies exist and are growing in nearly all sub-sectors. Explosive population growth, partly through immigration from rural areas and in the cases of the largest cities, natural growth, have placed pressures on city authorities for increased services. For instance, the population of the urban areas in developing countries is likely to grow by 1 billion over the next two decades. Simultaneously with growth to date, the state of existing services has universally deteriorated.”

“At the same time the governments in these countries are trying valiantly to cope with what are prime concerns; large and growing unemployment and under employment, and raised expectations by their peoples of access to minimum basic needs in water supply, shelter, etc. These pressures though countrywide, are visibly focused in the urban areas, and thus influence political, administrative, financial, and economic decisions, not always in a coherent or rational manner.”

“Urbanization involves costs to the public sector which amount to large shares of total public spending. Dense human settlement requires levels of servicing – for health reasons, if no other – which are not as essential elsewhere. Rising incomes increase demands for water, electricity, road space, telephones are similar public services. Expectations for urban amenities and appearances are high, and the costs of providing them are also high. Growth of the larger cities often involves diseconomies of scale – longer pumping distances for water and traveling distances for commuters, for example. In some of the largest metropolitan areas, geographical shape and terrain accentuate the costs of growth: Bangkok, Bombay and Mexico City come to mind. Soaring land prices add to the costs of private and public sector development.”

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Project Year:1988
Project Type:Urban Design Studio
Geographic Regions:Indonesia / Muharraq, Bahrain / Zhejiang Province, China
Reports:
Authors:David B. Cook; Mona Serageldin; Geeta Pradhan; Tarek Waly; Jens Lorentzen; John Kirke; David Gilmore
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Design Studios; Education
  
ID:1988_00_004

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Gallery 3 – BAHRAIN: Manama and Muharraq, 1980s