In this blog post, we will look at various examples of how Geographic Information Science (GIS) is changing our lives and cities.
Everyone has heard the phrase “the world in your hand” often used in TV commercials. This refers to smart mobile devices, and nowadays, we can do almost anything at any time and place, making this phrase more relevant than ever. The advent of smartphones and the subsequent development of mobile technology have revolutionized our lives. With just one smartphone, we can easily perform various activities such as communication, information search, financial transactions, social networking, and entertainment. Let’s imagine a scenario: you’ve just enrolled at Seoul National University for the first time. You may have had difficulty finding your classroom due to the enormous size of the campus. Nowadays, most students use smartphone apps such as “Seoul National University” or “In SNU” to find their classrooms. This is thanks to the development of spatial information engineering.
We have often heard about the field of spatial information engineering through various media. As society continues to develop beyond the limitations of time and space, how to process and efficiently utilize geographic and spatial information has become a crucial research topic in the modern era. Here, geographic and spatial information refers not only to the location of objects but also includes information such as the shape of the land, road design, and the density of buildings. The technology to accurately and swiftly process this information is essential in modern society. Therefore, “spatial information engineering” is the academic field that studies and develops methods to acquire such geographic and spatial information and facilitate human social activities. In a society that demands faster and more accurate information, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as the core of spatial information engineering. A system that allows users to view vast geographic information anytime, anywhere—this is the Geographic Information System.
If you look at bus stops in Seoul, you can easily see electronic signs that tell you which bus is coming and when. Additionally, if you use a bus-related app on your smartphone, you can even see where the bus is currently located. This is all thanks to GIS. By analyzing bus-related geographic information data collected by satellites using this system, users can access the information they need, such as the current location of a bus or its estimated arrival time.
Furthermore, this information plays an important role in reducing traffic congestion and promoting the use of public transportation. The development of GIS technology is also playing an important role in various fields such as disaster response, environmental protection, and resource management, in addition to urban traffic management. Most of us have used Google Maps on the internet or on our smartphones. Google Maps is also a web-based map designed using a geographic information system. Google Maps is a prime example of the competitiveness of geographic information systems.
It allows users to view any location in the world with a single click, as if they were actually there. Web maps, including Google Maps, not only provide location information but also allow users to view actual images of the area and obtain three-dimensional information about the terrain. In particular, Google Maps’ Street View feature provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the street, allowing users to experience the scene as if they were actually there, which is extremely useful.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and furthermore, Spatial Information Engineering, are utilized in a wide range of fields. Human activities always involve spatial concepts. In other words, people are always in a specific location, and every action they take requires a definition of “where.” The Department of Construction and Environmental Engineering consists of Spatial Information Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Urban Design and Planning, Hydraulic Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering. Spatial and geographic information is essential for determining where to build social infrastructure, identifying which cities are experiencing concentrated development, and assessing the severity of traffic congestion in a particular area. In particular, in the field of environmental engineering, GIS is being utilized to seek better solutions in areas such as pollution source tracking, natural resource management, and climate change research. Ultimately, spatial information engineering can be seen as a discipline that underlies other fields of study.
As shown in the above examples, spatial information engineering has dramatically improved the quality of life by enabling a better understanding of human space and its efficient management. Among the various fields of construction and environmental engineering, this field boasts high utility and has become an essential discipline that is deeply embedded in our daily lives, to the point where it is difficult to live without spatial information engineering. In line with the current trend of growing interest in spatial information, this field is expected to continue its rapid development and make significant contributions to human life. Additionally, the advancement of spatial information engineering will play a crucial role in various cutting-edge technology fields such as smart city construction, autonomous vehicle development, and precision agriculture. These technological advancements will make our lives more convenient and safe while serving as a vital foundation for a sustainable future.
