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Geotechnology unmasked: It is an academic necessity

The United States Department of Labor asserts that geotechnology (geographic information systems, remote sensing, and global positioning systems as instruments used to resolve planetary issues), nanotechnology, and biotechnology are among the three most progressive professions in the world market. Former senator Bob Kerry illuminated the importance of geotechnology as a significant means of promoting visual communication throughout the world in a presentation at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2004). As the keynote speaker at the 26^th Annual Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International Users Conference (over 100 countries were represented, Summer, 2006), he reiterated this message with a specific focus on the importance of geographic information systems and remote sensing as a means of understanding the day to day affairs of the world. While serving on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator Kerry recognized and supported geographic information systems (GIS) as a valuable decision support tool. Kerry’s earlier experiences with geographic applications in the United States Navy coupled with his government experience prompted him to support the creation of the Parson’s Institute for Information Mapping (PIIM) at The New School in New York City. The school’s spatial visualization laboratory was developed to promote a technology that serves to prepare graduates of the program to further investigate and advance understanding for the interactive processes functioning about the world through spatial literacy. 

 

America’s Governors (The National Governor’s Association) had recommended 6.6 billion dollars for the initial collection of geographic features, including transportation, elevation, hydrology, boundaries (physical and cultural), cadastre, and imagery as a means of contributing to the national data base for spatial analysis. The National Governor’s Association is working to establish linkages with such agencies as the United States Health and Human Services to create a GIS map of current health data. Another partnership includes work with the United States Department of the Interior to develop national and regional GIS maps of soil and water data. The international scientific community has been using GIS and remote sensing applications to better understand the interactive nature of atmospheric and human-induced affects on global climate for decades. Over the next 25 years, the United Nations predicts over 2 billion people will migrate from rural to urban areas about the world. Many spatial problems will exist during this transition period.  Geographic information systems and geotechnology will play a pivotal role in identifying these issues, and will be offering a significant means for synthesizing data to optimize intelligent, well reasoned decision support.

 

The threat to national, state, and local security had never been as evident to the citizens of this country as it was following the 911 incident in New York City and Washington, D.C. One only has to recall the chaos that ensued when the twin towers were brought down, and communication links between the rescue workers and support groups was discovered to be severely broken. Geotechnology, however, served as a significant component in providing intelligent decision support for the many rescue operations conducted throughout the day and in the weeks that followed. 

 

The essential maturation of the mapping sciences (geotechnology) can only be realized when we begin to develop support for spatial literacy. Dr, Mike Goodchild, a university professor, Director of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, has called upon all educators to embrace spatial literacy as a critical component in contemporary and future curriculums. This role is particularly critical at the K-12 level since a well developed feeder system within the public and private schools will result in a higher level of investigative skills leading to more competent decision-making processes. Geotechnology will ultimately become as important as mastering written, oral, and mathematical curriculum.