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 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 betoo 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.