Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
is criticized, however, for problems of data availability and lack of attention to
intra-generational equity (UN, 2007).
One can now objectively monitor aspects of sustainability that have been
elusive to measure (e.g., indicators that fall into natural capital and social
capital) through recent developments in geospatial technology, including
hyperspectral and radar remote sensing, sensor networks, ubiquitous GPS
tracking, and GeoWeb 2.0. Along with increased quantity and quality of data,
GIS can provide a platform to integrate data from various sources across
different geographic scales (global to local) and investigate the changing
nature of the planet (National Research Council [NRC], 1997; NRC, 2010). As
society continues to improve access to data across various domains (social to
environmental) over space and time, it is likely that spatial thinking (NRC,
2006) will play an important role in turning big data into knowledge in
conjunction with relevant analytics and tools. Visual images can condense a
large amount of data and present a message effectively enough to change
behaviors (Sheppard, 2005). GIS is well suited to supporting the complex task
of assessing sustainability (Graymore et al., 2009).
Research shows that CBOs do not use GI as effectively as they should
because they lack organizational capabilities, continuity, and connections
(social networks) to deploy GIS; nor is their use of GI is well aligned with
organizational contexts and structure (Sieber, 2000; Elwood & Ghose, 2001;
Esnard, 2007). CBOs do not use GI simply because they don't know how to
use GIS or what they can do with GIS, and also because they are not
compelled
to pose geographic questions. They are not compelled to discern
geographic elements in planning and conducting their activities because they
are rarely aware of the value of GI or trained to think spatially. In other words,
CBOs' (and the general public's) inadequate appreciation of geospatial
concepts in part contributes to underutilization of GI. Geographic concepts and
GIS are conducive to sustainability discourse (Wilbanks, 1994; Whitehead,
2006; Hwang, 2013), and thus it is necessary to promote the use of GI in
CBOs' efforts toward sustainable development. The purpose of this chapter is
to demonstrate the utility of GI in building community capital and to present a
conceptual framework to help CBOs to think spatially and increase the
efficacy of their sustainability initiatives.
This chapter is organized into three sections. In Section 2, I discuss the
role of GIS in building community capital, largely illustrated by community-
based service-learning GIS projects. Then I present how to organize different
forms of capital to assess sustainability in community following the capital
framework in Section 3. I discuss the typology of geospatial inquiries suited to
