The Socio-Economic Dimension of Neogeography ( A Framework to Evaluate VGI Initiatives)

anis — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:16:35 +0000

Success of open-source software development as; Linux, consumer-driven business development E-Bay, and most recently user-developed production of knowledge base Wikipedia have inspired the specialist and the users of geospatial data and mapping.

Continuation of this success is leading the science of mapping towards new geospatial data creation and diffusion processes, like wikicarto, wikiGIS, geoblog and more generally Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). VGI is considered the newest form of Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS).

Relying only on GIS experts neglects the fact that involving interested users is an important step towards open and democratic approach for PGIS. Local
people have usually better knowledge about the area of interest, which is crucial for accurate decisions.

These new ways of providing geospatial information through the Web techniques are part of Geospatial components of the Web2.0 and an example of Neogeography. Neogeography is related to people using and creating their own maps, on their own terms, by combining elements of existing toolset.

Neogeography and the GeoWeb are going to be important contributory subject matter of future network society and becoming a major issue for GIScience. Society will be benefited both socially and economically. Nothing is really known about the potential benefits. It is essential to invent a methodology for the assessment of the benefits. Currently I am doing a PhD research which will try to give a dimension of socio-economic benefits. The main research will be carried out on the field of VGI and PPGIS, an emphasis on the socio-economic evaluation of those two fields in combination with Neogeography.

I am expecting your valuable opinion and suggestions for the successful completion of my PhD research.

The Participatory Geoweb - Socio-economic benefit

The Socio-Economic Dimension of Neogeography ( A Framework to Evaluate VGI Initiatives)