Towards a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Approach in Housing and Building Research

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based system that provides information relating to: Input, Data Management (data storage and retrieval), Manipulation and analysis and Output capabilities to handle geo-referenced data. Indeed, GIS is to geographical analysis what the microscope has been to biological science analysis. GIS describes the integration of land-based data with other additional sets of information including demographic characteristics and/or features. It equally attempts to integrate multiple databases with some root or underlying information. In relation to housing and building research, GIS can be an investigative tool, design and modeling tool, planning tool and decision making tool, as well as a storage, retrieval and display tool for combining both physical (spatial) and non Physical (descriptive) attributes to make sense. GIS as a working and management tool has the capacity to transform data from the analogue to the digital the such that features like roads and rivers would appear as lines, forests and farms as polygons and hills and buildings as surfaces. Geographic information may be needed to make equitable distribution of resources and assist in the formulation of appropriate project designs to conform to the current urban and rural conditions. It has been observed in Kenya that the inadequacy and or the inappropriate land related information systems is the single major constraint in the effective and efficient management of land for housing, security of tenure and determination of property rights. The purpose of this paper is therefore to highlight areas in housing and building research where GIS may find application.