GIS in regional research

Abstract

This chapter discusses geographic information systems (GIS) in the context of regional research. The basic principles and components of GIS are first detailed. Next, digital representation considerations and data are discussed. This is followed by illustrative examples of the significance of GIS in supporting regional analysis. In particular, studies that examine growth and evolution, modeling of land use change, spatial cluster identification, wayfinding, and service coverage are reviewed to highlight the ways that GIS is utilized. Observations regarding the future evolution of GIS in regional research are offered, suggesting that spatial analytical methods that support regional science will continue to progress on a course where they are directly integrated in GIS. The reason(s) for this include: the potential to exploit proven properties and derived spatial knowledge; opportunities to address data uncertainty issues in a meaningful way that supports planning and analysis; and prospects to identify and account for scale, unit definition, measure and model/methods biases.