GIS Supports to Economic and Social Development

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1 GIS Supports to Economic and Social Development Dang Van Duc and Le Quoc Hung Institute of Information Technology 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Rd., Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam Abstract Nowadays, GIS is an useful tool for management of resources, environment, traffic,... It also gives information of decision support to managers. Retrieval and dissemination of GIS information become vital in many areas. This paper introduces our products: PopMap - GIS software and MapOnline - Distributed Geographic Information software. PopMap is an integrated software package for Geographical Information, Maps and Graphics Database. It is an interactive information and decision support system that provides maps and graphics database support for planning and administration of the activities with important geographical or logistical context, or for facilitating geographical expression of social indicators and related data. Based on the PopMap, MapOnline is a tool for distributing spatial data through the Internet. The structure of this paper is as follows: after describing about the context and giving an overview of the PopMap and MapOnline development, the paper will show abilities of softwares that can be applied for sustainable development. Lastly, we will present some applications that have been designed and developed on the PopMap and MapOnline. Keywords: GIS, GIS-Web, PopMap, MapOnline I. Introduction As we know the information system can be classified as figure 1 and nowadays Geographical Information System (GIS) plays a great role in the fields of collection, management and retrieval of geographical data. In recent years, many GIS softwares are developed, each of them often belongs in one of nodes on classification tree of information systems. In general our researches of GIS focus on making GIS products that assist users in managing projects of economic and social development. This paper introduces some our results of research and development. II. PopMap and MapOnline - Geographical Information Systems II.1 PopMap PopMap is designed to facilitate the development of sub-national applications. The package provides the basic elements to develop a simple, but useful geographical information system for thematic and interpretive analysis and presentation. PopMap applications provide benefits supporting efficient allocation of resources, and enables sharing the information among a variety of users [United Nations, 1999]. PopMap System Architecture Data Editor Spreadsheet Retrieval System Map Editor Thematic Graph Figure 2. Architecture of the PopMap system The PopMap database, developed and maintained by the Database Editor module, defines and categorizes information into hierarchical administrative area levels with specific time reference periods. PopMap links the database information with maps created with Map Editor thus enabling users to produce effective and meaningful data presentations for analysis using the built-in spreadsheet or mapping facilities. The PopMap Figure 1. Classification tree of information systems Duc, D.V. and Hung, L.Q. 79

2 Retrieval System module will be the most widely used component since most users are mainly interested in displaying maps, retrieving and manipulating data (see Figure 2). The following are most of essential characteristics of PopMap. Hierarchical database structure PopMap is especial well suited to the creation of population and health service delivery applications that are based on fairly clearly defined and simple hierarchical spatial data structure. The focus on hierarchical database guides those developing PopMap application to think carefully about their spatial or geographic data requirements and needs. PopMap is an appropriate software choice for a user developing a database with a natural or administrative hierarchical structure (see Figure 3). The issue critically important for PopMap application is that when developing a spatial database the user creates the administrative hierarchical database structure (administrative coding) first, before being able to add the boundary and map layer data. This is somewhat special characteristic of PopMap, and is different from most other mapping packages. The hierarchical structure forces the user to conceptualize a geographical database with more care. Moreover, this may better assure completeness of coverage and thus improve data integrity. Figure 3. Hierarchical administrative units of Cambodia. Level 1=country, level 2 = province, level3 = district Spatial database structure PopMap stores spatial data in proprietary format. However geographic data files from many common GIS and mapping system formats can be easily imported and exported, including AtlasGIS (BNA), MapInfo (MIF), AutoCAD (DXF), and ArcView shape files (SHP). Geographic features in PopMap are organized into layers. A map produced within PopMap consists of geographic features represented as points, line or areas in different layers. PopMap classifies all geographic layers into one of three categories: administrative, facilities and another area/line layers. Administrative layers are analogous to administrative spatial units and are thus area layers. Within PopMap the user can specify up to seven hierarchical levels. This is usually sufficient for many applications (Vietnam = country, region, sub-region, province, district, commune). At the highest level (level 1) there is one map outline with selective retrievable individual facility location and data. There are also retrievable administrative borderlines delimiting each geographical subdivision at level 2 through 7 together with statistical data for each level of database. Facility layers are point layers representing any feature or place as a point on the map. Facility layers could be presented schools, clinics, hospitals, shopping centers, or even cities at a large map scale. Facility data and locations can be displayed at the context level at which they were declared in the construction of the database. A facility of national importance may be declared at level 1, while a facility of only local significance might be declared only at say level 4 and may only be mapped in the area for which they were defined. Other area/line layers are layers presenting other features that can be encoded as linear or area based features. Thus, this layer designation allows users to include linear features such as roads, railways, rivers, electricity and telephone cables, or non-hierarchical areas such as weather areas, forest areas into a PopMap application. Within PopMap each layer has a unique ID, and each feature within each layer has a unique ID. These IDs are used to link the spatial and attribute data together. Attribute database structure PopMap uses a relational database model to store attribute data in a tabular DBF compatible files. Each record (row) in file corresponds to a map feature and has a unique ID. The attribute data can be organized or grouped into user defined topic areas (general, agriculture, health, education, etc.) with a capability that attributes may be cross-listed in multiple topic areas. The attribute data for administrative areas are further grouped into either static or dynamic attribute classifications. Static attributes are meant to include attributes that do not change over time (geographic code, mean elevation), while dynamic attributes can change over time (population, gross domestic product, value of agriculture, value of industry,...). For dynamic attributes the user specifies the time reference that can be set for individual or groups of years, months, weeks or days. It is also possible to define the attribute data or facilities and other area/line layers with or without time references. 80 Duc, D.V. and Hung, L.Q.

PopMap database can be linked to textual, photographic, sound and video files that can serve as useful additions to a database.

combination by project managers in the analysis of their data.

Regarding its mapping capabilities, PopMap is quite versatile containing many functions that can be used to manage and control the information. PopMap provides most common thematic mapping.

3 PopMap database can be linked to textual, photographic, sound and video files that can serve as useful additions to a database. Cartographic and graphic techniques for visualizing data PopMap is relatively simple to use providing useful graphical, worksheet and mapping capabilities that can be used individually or in combination by project managers in the analysis of their data. Most importantly the graphic, worksheet and mapping options provide the user with much flexibility in data analysis, interpretation and visualization. Regarding its mapping capabilities, PopMap is quite versatile containing many functions that can be used to manage and control the information. PopMap provides most common thematic mapping. There are six main thematic map types: rang (or choropleth), dot density map, graduated symbol map, individual theme map, bar chart map and pie chart map (see figure 4). Figure 4. Example of PopMap s thematic mapping Within PopMap the usual spatial modifications are possible (scale, projection,...) as well as the ability to overlay multiple layers of data and define a buffer around a map feature (see figure 5). PopMap contains five main graph types that allow the user to display or visualize their data. They are bar graph, line graph, area graph, pie chart, XY (scatter plot) graph. Each graph type has a variety of chart. Worksheets will provide users with a complete data processing environment. Users can build formulas, compute new indicators, print worksheet contents and create statistical graphs with our data. PopMap s layouts will combine any number of maps, worksheets and graphs in a single presentation. We can add drawings, annotation text and graphics. Layouts are useful in preparing hard copy printouts, or producing standard format maps for reports. Figure 5. Example of buffering line and point features II.2 MapOnline In recent years, the Internet has already become an integral part of much of society. The Internet increases quickly also in the efficiency and effectiveness of the ways in which users obtain, use, and share geographic information in all its forms. There are solutions and technologies have been researched and developed to distribute geographical information applications [Brandon Plewe, 1997]. Base on the PopMap, we have developed a Distributed Geographic Information software which is called MapOnline. MapOnline is a GIS-Web integration. It is a tool for distributing spatial data through the Internet [Dang Van Duc, Le Quoc Hung, 2002]. Within MapOnline there are most of GIS functions that allow retrieving data, browsing and mapping (see figure 6). Besides administrative functions are supported which allow to control and manage the MapOnline's users and MapOnline's services. There are two versions of MapOnline have been Figure 6. MapOnline s browser developed, this gives more choices to different kind of customers. The first version has been developed basing Duc, D.V. and Hung, L.Q. 81

4 on the Balanced architecture, in which tasks of data processing are shared to both client and server (as usual server has tasks of querying, analyzing data and drawing map, client has tasks of getting user's requirements, browsing map and displaying results) (see Figure 7) [Dang Van Duc, Le Quoc Hung, 2002]. The second version has been developed basing on the Thick Client architecture, in which most of tasks of processing have been done by server and client displays the results only. WEB SERVER GIS SERVER 1 CLIENT COMPUTER Query WEB browser JScript, VBScript, WEB Server GIS Extension program HTML, data, map GIS Interface & Manager Program GIS Software 1 GIS data 1 IIS Extension PopMap and MapOnline softwares are developed under Microsoft technology. PopMap is a Windows s program and is programmed by Microsoft Visual C++. MapOnline is developed by Microsoft Visual C++, JavaScript, HTML and the Internet Map Server (IMS) programming tool of ESRI [ESRI Inc., 1998]. In MapOnline Visual C++ is used to build the interface with GIS database; JavaScript, HTML and ActiveX are used to build interface with users and present results. GIS SERVER n GIS Software n GIS data n Figure 7. Balanced Architecture of the MapOnline III. Case Studies of PopMap and MapOnline PopMap is used by national and local government authorities for a wide range of applications, such as publications featuring maps produced with PopMap, and electronic atlases for thematic presentation, health data analysis, labor force and social databases. Many PopMap applications have been developed in more than 100 countries and areas all over the world [PopMap Applications with base maps and sample data]. In this paper we introduce a case study of PopMap support for project Improving the Quality and Utilization of Reproductive Health Services in 11 provinces of CP6 - UNFPA funded projects, and a case study of MapOnline support for introduction of Hanoi to tourists. PopMap s application of Improving the Quality and Utilization of Reproductive Health Services in 11 provinces of CP6 - UNFPA funded projects, The project uses PopMap to create, manage population information and health services in 11 poor provinces in Vietnam. The application contains live indicator and service data from various clinics and health spots that are linked to cartographic data. There are 21 indicators for more than 100 districts and 600 communes (population, households, health indicators) as well as 10 indicators at the clinic level (staff, equipment, number of population serviced). This application has been designed with 3 administrative layers (province, district and commune), 8 facility layers (Province Hospital, District Health Center, Commune Health Station, District Committee of Family Planning, Maternity House, District Committee of People, Commune Committee of People and Policlinics). PopMap help project managers to control activities of commune and health station. It also gives managers an overview of project results; through these results managers can take out conclusions and make decisions for further controls. Hanoi application This application has been designed under MapOnline to share the map and beauty spots of Hanoi. MapOnline helps users browse and explore Hanoi capital. This application gives users information about Hanoi. It has 8 main layers (streets and roads, bridges, rivers, lakes, hotels, pagodas and churches, museums and theatres) with hundreds of object. Users can visit Hanoi virtually by using MapOnline to browse the map, find out objects and useful information, or build scheme of tours. V. Conclusion In summary PopMap and MapOnline are interactive information and decision support systems. Combining 82 Duc, D.V. and Hung, L.Q.

5 graphics, spreadsheet interface and mapping capabilities with an integrated geographical database, they provide maps and graphics database support for planning and administration of the activities with important geographical or logistical context, or for facilitating geographical expression of social indicators and related data. With current abilities of PopMap and MapOnline, managers can use these softwares to develop useful GIS applications and share data for many purposes in fields: Managing statistic data with maps, Managing transport systems, Tourism, Enviroment. Acknowledgement PopMap and MapOnline have been developed and are being distributed to users thanks to Dr. Vu Duy Man, Patrick Gerland and Dulce Castillo (Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis - UNFPA), Nguyen Son Hai, Nguyen Tien Phuong (Department of Geographic Information System - Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam) for the design and development of PopMap and MapOnline. References Brandon Plewe, GIS Online, ONWORD Press, USA. ESRI Inc., MapObject Internet Map Server, USA. United Nations, Working with PopMap: Integration of Population, Reproductive Health and Geographic Database. Statistics Division - United Nations, New York. Dang Van Duc, Le Quoc Hung, Dissemination of the spatial data using internet, In Proceedings of International Symposium on Geoinformatics for Spatial- Infrastructure Development in Earth and Allied Sciences, , Hanoi, Vietnam. Duc, D.V. and Hung, L.Q. 83

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