Preface


Shunji Murai Professor and Doctor of Engineering
Institute of Industrial Science
University of Tokyo, Japan
Chair Professor, STAR Program
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

Recognizing that a well organized text book for education and training is a key issue for a successful GIS. Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) has established a working group on GIS Text Book. As the General Secretary of AARS, I decided to demonstrate such a text book myself, as a good sample that the working group members can improve upon. Otherwise it will take much time for completing a perfect one.

"GIS Work Book" includes two volumes; Volume 1: Fundamental Course and Volume 2: Technical Course. Fundamental Course focuses on the concept and role of GIS, data model and structure, data input, database, hardware/software, installation of GIS, and successful GIS applications in Japan.

On the other hand, the Volume 2: Technical Course summarizes several technicalities that support GIS including coordinate systems, map projection, interpolation, digital terrain model (DTM), spatial analysis, digital image processing and visualization. I feel very happy to note that my teaching experience of over thirty years on photogrammety, DTM, remote sensing, computer assisted cartography, GIS and global change study has been really useful in completing this technical course. While writing this book, I realized that GIS is a multi-disciplinary science supported by many different technologies. In this case there are so many things to learn and to teach.

In 1996 and 1997, I published GIS Work Book- Fundamental Course and Technical Course respectively with bi-lingal of English and Japanese. As some readers request me to publish only English version, I reedited the two volumes into a book with only English version.

I believe that this text book with its two parts ; "fundamental course" and "technical course" would be useful and helpful to not only students, trainees, engineers, salesmen but also to top managers or decision makers.

I would like to thank Mr. Minoru Tsuzura, Japan Association of Surveyors for his administrative support to make this English version possible

August,1998
Tokyo, Japan


The production of this CD-ROM was funded by National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC). The conversion into electronic form was implemented by Asian Center for Research on Remote Sensing (ACRoRS) of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand in March 1999. The editing team members were Professor Shunji Murai (Team Leader), Mr. Tin Aung Moe, Ms. Wandee Kijpoovadol and Mrs. Nancy Canisius.

March, 1999
AIT, Thailand