GIS News

Vecmap tracks the Asian bush mosquito

Under the watchful eye of ESA’s Vecmap initiative, the Asian bush mosquito is about to get bitten in Belgium. First observed in Belgium in 2002, the Asian bush mosquito can spread viruses such as Chikungunya, Dengue, and West Nile. Vecmap tests the accurate mapping of mosquitoes in Europe and in particular, mosquitoes carrying diseases. It provides a one-shop-stop that simplifies the entire mosquito mapping process by defining key habitats based on field data and delivers risk maps for a wide range of users. http://www.esa.int/

Google gets the Baidu blues again after mapping losses

Google looks like being beaten again in China, as Baidu leaps ahead in the mobile mapping space. The text ads giant was still second in the Quarterly Survey of China’s Mobile Map Client Market, but only just!
Chinese player Autonavi was the market leader by a long way, with 25.7 per cent, and Google Maps came in second with 17.5 per cent, but had Baidu breathing down its neck in third with a 17.3 per cent share. http://www.theregister.co.uk

Dubai completes Dubai Map and 360 degree Panorama projects

The Geographic Information Systems Department at Dubai Municipality announced the successful completion of Dubai Map and 360 degree Panorama projects. The Project consist of taking pictures using a device made of synchronized cameras equipped with special lens mounted on a car roof or on a tripod as in the case of Historical Building Panorama project for the Architectural and Heritage Department. These images are stitched together and processed later using some software to form a complete 360 by 180 view for different locations of the emirate of Dubai. Once stitched, the resulting Georeferenced images give the possibility to visit different locations virtually without the need for videotaping or site visiting. http://www.khaleejtimes.com

CBSE, India introduces course in geospatial technology

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now introduced a vocational course on ”Geospatial Technology” for its higher secondary students, scheduled to come into effect from the 2013-2014 session.
The course offers an opportunity for the students to understand the basics of the technology dealing with mapping and applications. Students will now get an insight into the diverse geospatial database concepts, creating and implementing the same, GIS theory and spatial analysis, supplemented by extensive practical exercises. The new subject will be offered as a single vocational elective in class XI and XII. Students can opt for it as an elective with any other combination of subjects at the senior secondary level or as an additional sixth subject as per the scheme of studies of the Board. http://www.deccanherald.com

Australia creates world’s first continental-scale mineral maps

The world-first maps were generated from a ten-year archive of raw Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) data collected by NASA and the Japanese Government’s Japan Space Systems. CSIRO scientists have developed software that transformed the data into a continent-wide suite of mineral maps that show information about rock and soil mineral components and provide a Google-like zoom to view images from thousands of kilometres wide to just a few kilometres. They are already changing the way that geoscientists look for mineral deposits by providing more accurate and detailed information than ever before. http://www.csiro.au/en

Malaysia to Improve Crime Mapping Portal

The technical development team at the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (FDTCP) is working together with the Royal Malaysian Police to extend the mapping capabilities of its Safe City Monitoring System (SCMS) to other divisions of the police force. The system is a web-based GIS crime mapping tool which aims to not only help authorities identify high crime areas, but to also allow them to study crime patterns and potential variables and determinants on causes of crimes. http://www.futuregov.asia/

China to support geoinformation industry

China is expected to introduce policies soon that will give preferential treatment to the geoinformation industry, which is predicted to produce 1 trillion yuan ($157 billion) worth of goods and services by 2020. The policies, which are likely to be issued by the State Council will call for the use of tax cuts and other measures to support the industry, according to Cao Hongjie, vice-president of Beijing UniStrong Science & Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese maker of navigation products. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/

‘Chile to save USD 15 mn using GIS model’

A new GIS-based tool, Mapping Urban Parcel (CBPU), will be introduced soon in Chile. CBPU is expected to be operational throughout Chile by 2016. This tool will provide information like, location of police stations, hospitals, risk areas, houses affected to disaster etc. So far, this information came from outsourced companies. But now, Chile hopes to save around USD 15 million through this state owned tool. http://www.df.cl

Ghana policy to regulate surveying and mapping

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under the Land Administration Programme (LAP) is developing a policy to regulate survey and mapping in the country. According to the sector minister, Mr. Mike Allen Hammah, the policy was to help promote effective land administration and to a conductive environment for survey practice in the country. http://www.ghana.gov.gh