Spatial data infrastructures for cities in developing countries - Lessons from the Bangkok experience

The cities of the developing world face major problems in managing growth a nd their urban infrastructure. The experiences of cities in the developed w orld have usually proved inappropriate in developing countries and conseque ntly new and innovative solutions are continually being explored for these cities, Geographic information systems and the underlying spatial data infr astructures appear to offer significant potential to assist in managing hum an settlements in developing countries. In examining the status of spatial data infrastructures in developing countries, the first part of the paper c ompares cities in developing countries to those in the developed world. It then highlights issues facing developing countries in establishing spatial data infrastructures to support efficient urban land management. The paper describes the Bangkok Land Information System as an example of a city attem pting to use spatial information technologies to manage the urban environme nt. This case study, together with the experience of the authors, are used to describe generic issues involved in the development of spatial data infr astructures for cities in similar socio-economic conditions. The paper prov ides a technical and institutional framework for the development of spatial data infrastructures for cities in developing countries. The paper conclud es by suggesting that simple, low cost, project oriented, easily maintained and user-friendly spatial information technologies have the best chance of success. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.