7th International Seminar on GIS for Developing Countries (GISDECO 2004) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudia, Johor, Malaysia May , 2004 By Suzanne Davis Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica

VENUE: SKUDAI IN JOHOR, MALAYSIA Skudai

Also had a poster exhibition on GIS work around the world and a field trip to the Singapore Land Authority. Summary of the Agenda for GISDECO 2004 EVENTDAY 1 WORKSHOPS  Participatory GIS (CTA/ITC)  Opportunities & Constraints to Use Digital Geo-Information in Developing Nations  Planning & Decision Support Systems  Implementing Statewide GIS EVENTDAY 2DAY 3 PRESENTA- TION CATEGORIES  Capacity Building for Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)  Advances in SDI  Development of GIS in Asia  Local & Regional Experiences  GIS Infrastructure & Policies  GIS Competencies and Skills in the face of ICT advancements  GIS Education & Curriculum  GIS Infrastructure & Policies  Panel Discussion  Closing Ceremony

Participatory GIS (P-GIS)  Concept based on community participation in spatial planning with geographic information outputs.  Main features of P-GIS include:  Applying GIS specifically to a need/problem at the local level,  Interaction and/or information exchange with a community, NGO, research entity  Representation/ inclusion of local knowledge  Applications:  Resolving land conflicts of a legal or landuse nature  Management of land and bio-resources.  Legal recognition of customary land rights and demarcating communities:

Comparing the Uses of P-GIS & Conventional GIS P-GISGIS Land Tenure System (Indigenous Peoples) Government Cadastral System Spiritual & physical connection to land Land as a marketable commodity Communal ownership/custodians. Stewardship. Registration of interests on land with spatial cadastre. Exclusive ownership Land transferred through inheritance, blood relations Transfer land through sale, lease, inheritance. Temporary/Seasonally flexible boundaries Mostly fixed boundaries

Some Expected Benefits from P-GIS image Agencies (external or internal to communities/NGOs) may utilize P-GIS as a strategy to:  Link the demands and priorities of project staff and the local people in a project area  Facilitate introduction of an “outside” project/ programme  Where local participation occurs, encourage and reinforce local decision-making and responsibilities.  Develop spatial outputs (maps, 3-D models, information systems) that take into account various local perceptions and traditional knowledge

GIS Education & Curriculum  Emphasis was on tertiary (university) education.  Valuable insight gained from Malaysian Universities Case Study  Reviewed how: - GIS is utilized in the planning sector and - GIS utilization provided indicators of gaps and strengths in GIS education for planners  Scope of the review: -Planners in federal government & private consultancies -10 public universities in Malaysia

Findings of Malaysian Review of GIS Education GIS under-utilized for the preparation of development plans Over-emphasis on GIS mapping capabilities Limited awareness and use of GIS spatial analytical capabilities Inadequate understanding among planners about GIS analytical capabilities and how GIS can help their work. GIS is offered as a subject/course in regional & planning programmes for undergraduates or for postgraduates Only 40% of the public schools offered planning programmes No standardization of GIS curriculum – variety of teaching approaches (core or optional course, theoretical or hands-on) Limited & varying modes of transfer of GIS knowledge. Difficult to fully assess the skills of GIS-competent planners in the professional world.

Recommendations for GIS Teaching in Planning Schools GIS should be a compulsory subject in planning programmes GIS should be taught to both undergraduates & postgraduates at basic and advanced levels Students should be encouraged to use GIS analytical capabilities for projects

Visit to Singapore Land Authority (SLA) Highlight: Online demonstration of the Integrated Land Information System - INLIS (

Building Information Service Control Points Management System State Land Encroachment Information Service * Online Land Information System Primary School Listing Service * Road Line Plan * Survey Data Enquiry and Exchange System Self Service Map Production System Surrounding Amenities Information Service Surrounding Lots Sales Transaction Information Service Sales Transaction History Information Service

Integral components of the INLIS:  SLA GPS Base Station: *System of 5 base stations * Accuracy between 2 – 10 cm * GPS Base Station is linked by lease lines to a server  Integration across various GIS Systems  Interoperability

Upcoming GIS Events/ Activities Development of a Participatory GIS Network through CTA and other institutions e.g. ITC. The Network is primarily, but not exclusively aimed at participants from countries of sub-Saharan, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions. Greater Caribbean participation is desired. 3rd Annual Public Participation GIS Conference, July 18-20, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin Conference on Spatial Planning and Decision Support System 2004, 7th - 8th September International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur GISDECO 2005 proposed for Eastern Africa. Details forthcoming.