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Down to Earth Geographic Information for Sustainable Development in Africa (2002) / Chapter Skim
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9 Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Pages 128-136

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From page 128...
... This community comprises African and international partners from NGOs, universities, private companies, and foreign governments, including the space and aid agencies that are a major source of geographic data, training, and support. Efforts to expand the use of geographic information at national and regional levels are resulting in data and information for decision-making, technical training for students and professionals, and creating geospatial capacity.
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From page 129...
... Consequently, data on human population distribution are fundamentally important to decision-makers as they address Agenda 21 issues. Lesson Learned: Geographic information and technologies are central to the transition from traditional environmental management to sustainable development, that brings people to the fore, rightfully integrating environment and development.
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From page 130...
... Telecommunications Infrastructure Conclusion: Sustainable development activities would be improved if a greater emphasis were placed on distributed systems that enabled access to multiple geographic datasets and linked networks of African scientists, data users, and organizations. An efficient telecommunications infrastructure facilitates accessibility, use, and dissemination of geographic data and information, and forms the backbone of any SDI.
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From page 131...
... NASA's advanced MODIS sensor on its Terra satellite platform has a range of mapping applications including land cover, fire, and productivity. Conclusion`: Land-cover datasets and vegetation indexes are valuable resources for natural resource management and development planning in rural areas.
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From page 132...
... Recommendation: NASA should produce digital elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission at the highest possible spatial resolution (e.g., 30 x 30 m) for all areas.
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From page 133...
... Recommendation: Serious consideration should be given by the USGS to modeling the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission-derived 30 x 30 m digital elevation data to produce the most accurate, affordable hydrologic network database with global coverage. Legacy Data The earliest baseline against which future change can be compared often comes from historical legacy data.
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From page 134...
... and to maximize efficiency of new programs through a coordinated approach. Partnerships for Capacity-Building Conclusion: Partnerships promote sharing of resources, improved communication and cooperation, and acceptance of shared standards required for spatial data infrastructures.
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From page 135...
... .1997. Governance for Sustainable Development.
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Key Terms

  • sustainable development
  • spatial resolution
  • legacy data
  • african countries
  • spatial data

  • shuttle radar
  • radar topography
  • topography mission
  • population distribution
  • land cover

  • address agenda
  • digital elevation
  • data providers
  • telecommunications infrastructure
  • information science

  • elevation data
  • assist african
  • civil society
  • donor agencies
  • human population

  • data infrastructures
  • global spatial
  • promote sharing
  • information activities
  • partnerships promote

  • research networks
  • environmental management
  • data continuity
  • data infrastructure
  • geospatial capacity


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