The term geospatial technology encompasses a variety of tools utilized for gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing Earth and the location of objects on it. Throughout history, cartography and mapmaking were crucial parts of human civilizations that allowed exploration and creation of new settlements. Thus, the earliest maps edged on stones date as far back as 2300 BC (Geospatial Revolution / Episode One, 2010).
Today, the information that identifies the location and physical characteristics of an area is detected and analyzed via thousands of space satellites in a process known as remote sensing (Geospatial Revolution / Episode One, 2010). Satellites gather data on location in latitude, longitude, and altitude and transmit it to organizations and individuals with access to Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers (Geospatial Revolution / Episode One, 2010). Furthermore, geospatial technology can incorporate crowdsourcing to gather information in order to update data at a faster rate. An example is the Ushahidi application which was utilized to inform relevant organizations about damage to infrastructure after an earthquake in Haiti (Geospatial Revolution / Episode One, 2010). Overall, geospatial technology provides a wide array of benefits to individuals and society at large.
Geospatial tools are critical for modern societies and may be used to solve a variety of problems. At the individual level, GPS and digital maps assist with navigation, allowing people to get to different locations safely and efficiently. Geospatial technology permits the users to be at the center of the map and does not require advanced map-reading skills. Watching the video made me realize how many purposes this technology can be utilized for. The Ushahidi software that employs user-generated data to update digital maps quickly following a natural disaster is a brilliant example of an application that can assist communities in an emergency. Aside from crisis relief, it can improve urban planning and contribute to various fields by providing enhanced geospatial data. In summary, as a person who grew up with this technology readily available, I certainly do not appreciate it enough, although it is difficult to imagine life without it. The first episode of the documentary definitely picked my interest regarding various geospatial tools and their use.
Reference
Geospatial Revolution / Episode One [Video]. (2010). YouTube. Web.