Mission

Spatial information science is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of research, development and employment in the information technology area. Hitherto, its applications have generally been concentrated in areas like resource allocation, asset management, land systems, engineering and mining but it has not been applied widely in social and economic planning. GISCA aims to develop and demonstrate a wide range of social and economic applications of spatial information systems to improve the elucidation and amelioration of human problems. The Centre aims to establish itself as the world's leading centre of research and teaching in this rapidly expanding area by the year 2005.

Key Objectives:

• To provide a major focus and vehicle for researchers and planners to collaborate in the analysis and use of population and social spatial data.
• To make public and private sector planning in Australia 'smarter' through the effective incorporation of existing data using advanced geographic information technology into research in changing patterns of need as well as into the planning process in an effective and timely way.
• To undertake high quality basic and applied research that will facilitate the incorporation of social and demographic data using GIS technology into planning in a more timely and effective way.
• To develop new technologies in SIS.
• To provide education and training in the use of social and demographic data in planning, and the application of SIS to social planning issues.