Reappraising GIS from A Tool Perspective

Abstract

The past 50 years has seen a rapid development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in assisting urban development in multiple fronts. To better release the potentials of GIS as an auxiliary tool for pursuing sustainable built environment, it is necessary to seek a retrospective understanding of GIS’ origins, evolution and capabilities that are closely tied to the chronic problems of urban renewal. Built upon a longitudinal study of interdisciplinary literature, this paper represents an initial conceptual exploration to relate GIS’ capabilities in facilitating complex urban renewal practices whose efficiency and quality of handling multi-sourced information holds the key to project success. Key findings include the classification of three thematic eras of GIS since the 1960s; and the identification of the 3In capabilities of GIS developed in the three eras respectively - intelligence in data synthesis, interoperability with other ICT tools, and interconnection among stakeholders. It is suggested that GIS’ 3In capacities could open a new way of addressing complex urban renewal, but a wider adoption of GIS in this under-developed area will hinge on a number of factors.