Abstract
Recent developments in geographical information systems (GIS) have dramatically advanced the ways geographical data are stored, manipulated, analyzed, and displated. Architectural librarians now can utilize GIS to efficiently manage their maps and graphic illustrations of architectural designs with copmuterized procedures. For architects or architectural researchers to integrate architectural designs with geographical data, GIS functions are especially suitable to stimulate or to realize the designs. The CAD-like functions available in GIS for map composition can also be used by architects and architectural researchers as part of their designing environment. This article briefly introduces the concept of GIS. It discusses how GIS can be defined, how GIS can be used, and what functions GIS typically provides. Sources of geographical data are also described. In addition, this article reviews selected GIS textbooks, professional conferences and periodicals as initial reference for interested architects and architectural researchers. Finally, several example geographical information systems are described to facilitate an introductory understanding of the available software packages.