2 research outputs found
Assessing the role of volunteered geographic information in enhancing Iraqi land administration systems
PhD ThesisThis thesis explores the use of volunteer geographic information (VGI) as a
potential tool to support the land administration systems in the nation of Iraq. It
aims to understand how different approaches and characteristics of VGI suit
different socio-economic, cultural and topographic contexts in contemporary Iraq.
Two main research problems motivated this work. The major practical problem
facing land administration systems in many countries, is lack of comprehensive
coverage: only 25% of nations (mostly industrial countries, 35-50 in total) have a
complete land registration system, and 75% of the world’s land parcels are not
currently registered. A second issue is the limited understanding of the efficacy of
VGI in supporting land administration under different contexts. The research
described here is further motivated by specific experiences in Iraq, where the land
administration system has faced many problems since the US-Led Occupation in
2003.
After a review of the current state of Iraqi land administration, exemplified by the
local system in Al-Hillah, Iraq, empirical research was undertaken with nine
communities in defined rural, peri-urban and urban areas of the district. Three
different technologies of VGI collection (smartphone GPS, iPad, and analogue
maps) were tested, after selection and training of a total of 105 volunteers
collecting this and supplementary land administration data. Questionnaire
surveys, observation of data collection practice and interviews with individuals,
community leaders and professionals were also used.
The results confirm the difficulties of current land administration in Iraq and
public perception of these. They also extend previous knowledge of VGI, deriving
information about its spatial accuracy, completeness, currency and value in a
number of ways. Conclusions are presented which emphasise the need for a range
of methods and approaches, highlighting which methods of VGI data handling
work for different communities and individuals. It is suggested that low tech
methods may be more accurate and more acceptable in some situations. The work
has demonstrated that VGI can bring valuable, accurate and fit-for-purpose data
to support formal systemsMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research, Republic of Iraq and Babylon University
Keys to successful scientific VGI projects
Scientific projects are increasingly using volunteered geographic information (VGI) in order to collect and validate geographic data. This concept relies on the three challenges that first of all users can be found and second be convinced to collaborate and contribute and that scientists finally are able to gather high quality data for their projects. In this paper these three challenges are discussed using the experience with three different research projects: Urbangene, Signalez-nous and BioSentiers