Preface
This internship took place in accordance with my study Human Geography of Developing Countries at Utrecht University. During my study I became increasingly interested in the topic of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) therefore I was very pleased with the opportunity to do this internship at ITC, an international institute where these two fields of interest (developing countries and GIS) come together. This internship has been a real learning experience for me. Besides -of course- the knowledge I gained about "GIS in local government" I learned a lot about writing and presenting in English. It also was a great way to experience working in an scientific environment with friendly colleagues. Therefore I would like to thank some people without whom this experience would not have been as great as it was.
I would like to thank Professor Willem van der Toorn, head of the Social Sciences Division, for giving me the opportunity for this internship. I want to express great thanks to Emile Dopheide and Erik de Man, my supervisors, who "guided" me through this internship. Besides our weekly meetings, they were always willing to answer my questions and to help me to overcome my doubts. They really made me feel 'at home' at the Social Sciences Division. Thanks!
Also I would like to thank Pieter van Teeffelen, my supervisor at Utrecht University, who brought me in contact with ITC and provided me the names of some key persons. Our 'Friday talks' in Utrecht were helpful for me.
I am grateful to all ITC colleagues who contributed in the discussion on this subject by reading and commenting a draft version of this document.
Last I would like to thank everybody on the SOC Division for making this internship as instructive and wonderful as it was. Thanks to Jeroen, my room-mate, for the nice time (I will miss the 'loesje wisdoms') and Petra for her help (also with making this report) and -together with Noortje, Liza and Jeroen- for the entertaining tea breaks.
For questions, suggestions and other things you want to share,
you can contact me at:
maaikevegt@hotmail.com.
And for more "general" information about the subject of this study, you can contact
Emile Dopheide (
dopheide@itc.nl) or Erik de Man (
deman@itc.nl)
Enschede,
8 November 2001
Maaike van der Vegt