Resources
Because of current practices in local governments in developing countries, it is often difficult to get budgets approved for the purchase of new technology, particularly when senior administration has little experience with the technology. GIS requires investment in hardware, software, data collection, data maintenance and education and training, and it is very difficult to get support for such projects from senior management without the awareness of the potential of the new technology. There are, however, low cost desk top GIS software packages, with some of them being available through the Internet at no cost. Such systems do not require specialized hardware, have simple, easily learnt interfaces, provide the essential spatial data handling procedures required of GIS software and allow rapid visualization of information in a spatial context, and particularly for parcel based data which is the key for most urban applications. In particular they are good for raising awareness and gaining experience. For many urban applications, these simple desktop low cost GIS provide an important way forward.