Spatial data infrastructures in developing countries.
The availability of spatial information for cities indeveloping countries is poor or nonexistent. In many cases, the spatial data is in the form of unscaled sketches. Where maps exist they are often out dated or classified as restricted information and access by public departments is very difficult if not impossible. Where current and unclassified maps exist, they are usually of different scales aggravating the problem of sharing information efficiently among various sectors of the city. Digital representation of spatial data is even rarer due to the lack of appropriate equipment and trained staff. Few cities are ready to begin generating digital spatial databases as the task is seen to be too large, too costly and too complex both technically and administratively. The design and implementation of a workable spatial data infrastructure is often adream for the future, and without a SDI, GIS arenot possible.
Reproduction of maps, where they exist, is often done with ammonia printers with the original maps prepared and up-dated on transparent sheets. Cadastral data is usually stored in hard copy registers and updated manually where available. Where a digital database is being prepared for a city, map production often continues to be done manually in parallel. Information about state owned land or government property is poor. In many cities, there are large military land holdings where information is restricted.