HISTORY OF GIS

What is GIS
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is designed to capture, manipulate, store, analyze, and manage
data. It is an extension of cartography — the science of making maps — and allows individuals to
visualize, analyze, question, and interpret data.

Paper Mapping Analysis with Cholera Clusters

The first application of the concept was in 1832 when Charles Picquet created a map representing cholera
outbreak across 48 districts of Paris. This map was an early version of a heat map, which would later
revolutionize several industries.

The history of GIS all started in 1854. Cholera hit the city of London, England. Inspired by
Picquet, British physician John Snow began mapping outbreak locations, roads, property
boundaries and water lines.
When he added these features to a map, something interesting happened. He saw that Cholera
cases were commonly found along the water line.

John Snow’s Cholera map was a major event connecting geography and public health safety. To
this date, John Snow is known as the father of epidemiology. The work of John Snow
demonstrated that GIS is a problem-solving tool. He put geographic layers on a paper map and
made a life-saving discovery.

Stages of development
We go from static paper maps to dynamic digital maps.

1. BEFORE 1960: THE GIS DARK AGES:

Computer mapping was in the dark. It was not developed. All mapping was done on paper or sieve
mapping. The technology wasn’t here for GIS to come to light.

2. 1960 TO 75: GIS PIONEERING

The early 1960 to 1980s was really the time period of GIS pioneering.
The pieces were coming together with advancements in technology:

 Map graphics as outputs using line printers.

 Advances in data storage with mainframe computers.
 Recording coordinates as data input.

3. GIS SOFTWARE COMMERCIALIZATION

One of these GIS software vendors was Esri – which is now the largest GIS software company in the
world. In 1982, ARC/INFO for minicomputers was launched and in 1986, PC ARC/INFO was launched
with the production of the Intel microcomputer. Esri is now the world’s leading experts in GIS software
development and it has played a key role in the history of GIS.
 4. USER PROLIFERATION

Users are starting to adopt GIS technology in different ways. Classrooms, businesses, governments
around the world are starting to harness digital mapping and analysis.

5. THE OPEN SOURCE EXPLOSION

With users getting accustomed to GIS software, this has sparked a new revelation in GIS – an open source
explosion. Amazing projects like QGIS are providing any user with a computer with GIS software.

NEED OF GIS

Geographic information systems are powerful tools used in modeling, analysis, and various other
applications. Not only is GIS essential for developing an urban area, but it is also necessary for today’s
fast-moving, technological landscape.

Why is GIS Important in Urban Planning?

GIS technology is commonly used in urban planning, and dramatically impacts the people who live in
areas where the technology is used.

1. ORGANIZING THE AREAS

Multiple factors provide significant benefits, which help with the development of an efficient and
organized city. It allows for multilayered mapping, where each layer includes a different type of
information.

2. WATER SYSTEMS

Water companies, utilities, and municipalities use GIS to manage and operate assets. Water line breaks
are more easily identified and reported via GIS systems, such as Nobel Systems GeoViewer, and cities
publish GIS maps for the public to access information about shutdowns, and upcoming energy line or
water line work.

3. BUSINESS

Businesses can also use GIS as a tool to decide whether they should open up shop in a given location.
Customer-provided data can help companies to determine where prospective customers will come from,
and this has been a distinct application throughout GIS history.

4. INSURANCE COMPANIES

Insurance companies can use information extracted from GIS, to determine higher premiums for high
flooding areas, and businesses can assess whether customers will use their store given its location