{"id":20015,"date":"1989-07-01T12:00:00","date_gmt":"1989-07-01T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/library.i2ud.org\/library\/wp\/?p=20015"},"modified":"2026-03-16T17:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T17:48:33","slug":"test-title-1-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/library.i2ud.org\/library\/wp\/?p=20015","title":{"rendered":"“Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management,” Early GIS Research Paper by Fran\u00e7ois Vigier, Jonathan Corson-Rikert, and Joy Hecht, 1989"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Abstract<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper “Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management”<\/strong> was written in July 1989 by Fran\u00e7ois Vigier, Jonathan Corson-Rikert, and Joy Hecht under the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report reviews the emerging field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 1989,<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014or demonstrate the origins of\u2014modern GIS mapping technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Excerpt<\/p>

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[Excerpt: “Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management,”<\/strong> July 1989, p. 2]
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“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.<\/em>

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]
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“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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See related I2UD projects below<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Project Year:<\/td>1989<\/td><\/tr>
Project Type:<\/td>Research Paper<\/td><\/tr>
Geographic Regions:<\/td>Global \/ None Specified<\/td><\/tr>
Reports:<\/td>Geographic Information Systems: The Spatial Dimension of Urban Information Management (July 1989)<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Authors:<\/td>Fran\u00e7ois Vigier; Jonathan Corson-Rikert; Joy Hecht<\/td><\/tr>
Sponsors:<\/td>Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design<\/td><\/tr>
Categories:<\/td>Reconciliation and Development<\/td><\/tr>
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ID:<\/td>1989_07_002<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Related I2UD Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Related by: Early GIS Computing<\/p>

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