Page 31 - C:\Users\Evans Moetji\Desktop\DPSA Guideline Digital Flipbook\

STEP TWO: COLLECT AND CONTROL THE QUALITY OF
SPATIAL INFORMATION

Introduction – what is spatial information?

Spatial information includes any information that can be geographically referenced to a location on the
surface of the earth. Such information is also known as geo-information, geographic information or
geospatial information.

Types of geographic data and information vary extensively. Among others, these could include features
such as service points, roads, building structures, administrative boundaries, population demographics
and human settlements.

You will need a Geographic Information System (GIS) to store and use your spatial datasets. A GIS
integrates database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the visualization and geographic
analysis benefits offered by maps. You will be able to integrate many types of data and to query, analyse,
interpret and visualize the data. It is also possible to identify relationships, patterns and trends in the data.

Government departments can use their service point spatial information to do the following:

 Determine the optimum number, sizes and location of service points to meet the population demand.
 Develop strategies and mechanisms for improving geographic access to their services.
 Plan the creation of new service delivery infrastructure.
 Monitor service delivery at service points taking their spatial distribution into account.
 Plan and manage the deployment and utilisation of their staff at service points and other offices.
 Manage the use and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure.
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 provide examples of maps depicting spatial information.

Figure 6: Location of service points in relation to provincial boundaries and highways
26 26