Spatial data infrastructures in developing countries.
The availability of spatial information for cities indeveloping countries is poor or nonexistent. In manycases, the spatial data is in the form of unscaledsketches. Where maps exist they are often out datedor classified as restricted information and access bypublic departments is very difficult if not impossible.Where current and unclassified maps exist, they areusually of different scales aggravating the problem ofsharing information efficiently among various sectorsof the city. Digital representation of spatial data iseven rarer due to the lack of appropriate equipmentand trained staff. Few cities are ready to begin generatingdigital spatial databases as the task is seen to betoo large, too costly and too complex both technicallyand administratively. The design and implementationof a workable spatial data infrastructure is often adream for the future, and without a SDI, GIS arenot possible.