A study of Geographic Information Systems: Applications for land planning and natural resource management in Sub-Saharan West Africa--a rationale for a community-based approach

摘要

This study presents applications of Geographic Information Systems for land planning and natural resource management. It provides theoretical and practical answers regarding its relevance, appropriateness, and sustainability in Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal--Sub-Saharan West Africa. The study advocates a community-based approach. Landscape architects are encouraged to use their knowledge in science and culture to facilitate this approach; using incremental approaches to spatial planning that build-up Africa's land planning capabilities.;The research concludes that while GISs may provide timely information, empirical evidence is needed to substantiate their use in Sub-Saharan West Africa. The utilization of GISs in the developing countries is top-down in approach. Nationals remain uninvolved. Local level resource users remain overlooked. Resource management plans proposed by these systems have failed. Rapid Rural Appraisal and the Overlay Mapping Technique are discussed as incremental approaches to gather data and involve nationals into the planning process.