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Web GIS in Practice: Creating Interactive Maps in Taiwan  Tien-Yin Chou Director, Professor Geographic Information Systems Research Center Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan Email: jimmy@gis.tw
Abstract
Based on Web2.0 trend and the concepts of Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), the paper will describe the use of GIS not only as tools for professional spatial analyses, but also as friendly interfaces for public query and analysis. The map industry is currently favoring increased collaboration with its customers. Especially, the paper will explore the integration of electronic maps with live information for offering state-of-the-art connectivity for the community. The series of interactive and value-added map services will be introduced. 1. Introduction The map has always remained an extremely useful tool to describe the spatial data of the earth. In the past, people used paper maps to locate places. Today, the rapid developments in the field of spatial analysis and advanced data acquisition techniques have revolutionized the concepts of spatial data representation. E-Map is one such powerful technique that incorporates geographic databases to display spatial data and to provide interactive search services for users. The GIS Research Center at Feng Chia University, Taiwan has designed and implemented a wide range of map-based services through its EasyMap portal.(www.easymap.com.tw)The objective here is not only to use maps as tools for searching locations, but also to use them to look for various other types of information. Along lines of the Web 2.0 technologies, web users can create POI (Point of Interest) on an electronic map, add corresponding description, and even include photos sharing personal experiences. Thus EasyMap aids generating a map platform wherein users can identify the points of interest and add personal content. That way people can a create variety of theme maps by adding pictures, experiences, memories, and comments. Based on Web2.0 trend and the concepts of Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), the paper will describe the use of GIS not only as tools for professional spatial analyses, but also as friendly interfaces for public query and analysis. Especially, the paper will explore the integration of electronic maps with live information for offering state-of-the-art connectivity for the community. 2. The Trend of Geo Web 2.0 and PPGIS 2.1 The concept of Public Participation GIS The electronic map with interaction capabilities demonstrates the ultimate objective of Public Participation GIS. The concept of PPGIS is to incorporate the notion of “participation” in geographic information systems and then develop the interactive platform for people to deliver information. Using advanced techniques, all necessary spatial information can be clearly displayed on an electronic map. (Tsai, 2004) The core of PPGIS emphasizes communication and visualization by means of geographic information systems. In the context of this study, PPGIS is defined as a system to create an electronic map based on GIS for public use. The map platform enables people to write comments, upload pictures, and share data with others. As the map platform receives continual contribution from the public, the information on the platform has a high probability to remain up-to-date. More importantly, public participation and the ultimate contribution to the platform result in high interactivity of the map (Figure 1). Thus, the platform based on the concept of PPGIS serves as an effective community platform as well as a communication tool, hence changing the way location have hitherto been searched (Liao, 2006).
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