Application of Technology to Planning

GIS has emerged as an efficient tool in planning, moitoring and managing of urban issues and activities where large scale digital base maps plays a significant roll in providing the graphical base to GIS

There are two core data types to the GIS:
-Raster data: The raster data model is often used for physical and biological subsystems of the geosphere such as elevation, temperature, water flow, or vegetation. The raster data model was designed with a focus on analysis, modeling and image processing
-Vector data: Vector data model is used to represent areas, lines and points. Vector data are most efficient for described by lines with simple geometry, such as roads,  property boundaries etc.

On the basis, use of GIS in urban planning the following basic activities are recommended for wider adoption:
-Preparation of existing land-use map
-Land suitability analysis base on physical, environment etc. to guide the selection process for opening the land for urban development
-Accessibility analysis for proposed major development project like airport, growth centre etc.