This book provides a comprehensive introduction to geographic information systems (GIS). It explains the ideas and methodology behind GIS, and discusses all aspects of the process of collection, processing, analysis, and presentation of geographic information. In this respect, this book differs from more technically oriented literature on GIS. GIS is increasingly employed as a tool to support planning and management across diverse areas of society, and so the emphasis is placed on how GIS works as a geographic language in different contexts. The book is informative, easy to follow, and aims to make GIS applicable and relevant to professional planners who organise and shape our environments. In this second edition, the content has been updated by various experts. The new chapter on the use of geographic information and GIS as a basis for military decisions, may also be very relevant for other disciplines.All of the authors have academic backgrounds, high levels of expertise, and long experience in the use of GIS at the Norwegian Military Academy and the NDEA. The Norwegian Defence Estates Agency (NDEA) specialises in the defence sector s property and construction services, and is responsible for planning, building, operation, leasing, and sales. Its highly diverse property portfolio ranges from contemporary to historical properties, and from housing to firing ranges and training areas. Over the last 20 years, the NDEA has used geographic information systems (GIS) to collect, process, analyse, and present geographical data in order to make project-related decisions and strategic decisions The Norwegian Military Academy was originally founded in 1750 as Den frie matematiske skole (The Free Mathematics School) and is now the oldest higher education institution in Norway. Originally, it provided technological education in fortification and artillery doctrine but expanded from this to offer a wide range of specialist courses to meet the demands of the changing military profession of today. Technology education is provided through the academy s programme for engineer officers. The officer cadets receive both a Bachelor s degree in engineering and an officer s education. This education is unique in ensuring that officers in the armed forces are able to take responsibility at a time when increasingly rapid and dynamic change is occurring in military technology, making greater demands on the engineering officer s knowledge and ability to adapt.
