System design and organization, access to data
Abstract
Environmental coastal zone managcment requires a high level of communication between actors. A large part of this communication deals
with spatially reterenced information. The efficiency of GIS as a tool
for coastal zone management has been well established. However, its
widespread use is limited by the high cost of such systems. Moreover,
it is ditficult to make developed systems and databases compatible.
Distribution of GIS applications using the Internet protocol is now
possible, thanks to new emerging technologies, but it induces other
constraints, which must be assessed before large scale implementation.
The GeoNet 4D project (DG III - Esprit) consortium, co-ordinated by
a subsidiary ol France Telecom, has developed a Java-based software prototype enabling several users to retrieve advanced GIS information
through intranet/Internet networks. 'l'his solution was evaluated in
three field trials in the harbour areas of Fos-Marseille (France), Santander
(Spain) and Napoli (Italy). The purpose of the Fos-Marseilles field trial
was to build, operate and update a coastal pollution sensitivity atlas for
the harbour area, involving all stakeholders.
This paper presents the system specifications, the software and the geographic database built for the demonstration. Results of the field trial
evaluation in terms of network capacity, software performances and
user acceptance are discussed.
Introduction
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) requires a high level of
communication between the actors involved (Denis et1997). The
ICZM process requires that information and collaboration be truly interrelated (UE, 1999). The current situation of information and knowledge
management for the implementation of ICZM is of great importance in
removing major barriers to effective data, information and knowledge
flow between the provider and end-user communities (Gesamp, 1996).
A great deal of this communication deals with spatially referenced
information. In the framework of the European Demonstration Program
on ICZM, a study was made on technology’s role and use with respect
to ICZM (Capobianco et al., 1998). Geographic information systems
(GIS) appear most likely to play a role in this domain (Biliana-Cicin &
Knecht, 1 998). However, to date, dissemination of GIS has been limited
by the high cost of use and ownership of a GIS application during its
life cycle. It is now well known that the price of a GIS (hardware ancl
software) is not the most important cost factor. Issues such as usability,
learning and training cost, support and data greatly influence the total
cost of a GIS apphcation. One solution is to share the cost between organizations involved in management of the same coastal zone. Distribution
of GIS applications using the Internet protocol is now possible, thanks
to new emerging technologies, but induces some constraints that must
be assessecl prior to large scale implementation.
105
Abstract
Environmental coastal zone managcment requires a high level of communication between actors. A large part of this communication deals
with spatially reterenced information. The efficiency of GIS as a tool
for coastal zone management has been well established. However, its
widespread use is limited by the high cost of such systems. Moreover,
it is ditficult to make developed systems and databases compatible.
Distribution of GIS applications using the Internet protocol is now
possible, thanks to new emerging technologies, but it induces other
constraints, which must be assessed before large scale implementation.
The GeoNet 4D project (DG III - Esprit) consortium, co-ordinated by
a subsidiary ol France Telecom, has developed a Java-based software prototype enabling several users to retrieve advanced GIS information
through intranet/Internet networks. 'l'his solution was evaluated in
three field trials in the harbour areas of Fos-Marseille (France), Santander
(Spain) and Napoli (Italy). The purpose of the Fos-Marseilles field trial
was to build, operate and update a coastal pollution sensitivity atlas for
the harbour area, involving all stakeholders.
This paper presents the system specifications, the software and the geographic database built for the demonstration. Results of the field trial
evaluation in terms of network capacity, software performances and
user acceptance are discussed.
Introduction
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) requires a high level of
communication between the actors involved (Denis et1997). The
ICZM process requires that information and collaboration be truly interrelated (UE, 1999). The current situation of information and knowledge
management for the implementation of ICZM is of great importance in
removing major barriers to effective data, information and knowledge
flow between the provider and end-user communities (Gesamp, 1996).
A great deal of this communication deals with spatially referenced
information. In the framework of the European Demonstration Program
on ICZM, a study was made on technology’s role and use with respect
to ICZM (Capobianco et al., 1998). Geographic information systems
(GIS) appear most likely to play a role in this domain (Biliana-Cicin &
Knecht, 1 998). However, to date, dissemination of GIS has been limited
by the high cost of use and ownership of a GIS application during its
life cycle. It is now well known that the price of a GIS (hardware ancl
software) is not the most important cost factor. Issues such as usability,
learning and training cost, support and data greatly influence the total
cost of a GIS apphcation. One solution is to share the cost between organizations involved in management of the same coastal zone. Distribution
of GIS applications using the Internet protocol is now possible, thanks
to new emerging technologies, but induces some constraints that must
be assessecl prior to large scale implementation.
105