EPPS Celebrates GIS Day 2024: Showcasing Geospatial Technology’s Impact on Global Challenges

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) and the University of Texas at Dallas proudly joined the global celebration of GIS Day on November 20th, highlighting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and its contributions to solving real-world challenges. This annual event brought together students, faculty, researchers, and professionals from diverse fields to explore the ways GIS technology enhances our understanding of the world, informs decision-making, and promotes sustainable development.

Hosted by EPPS’s Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) Program, the event featured keynote presentations from leaders representing the Cities of Allen, Arlington, and Plano, as well as the United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Each speaker illustrated how GIS serves as a transformative tool in fields such as urban planning, sustainable development, public safety, and national security.

“GIS Day is an opportunity for us to showcase the transformative potential of GIS in analyzing spatial data to tackle pressing issues, from urban planning and environmental sustainability to disaster management and public health,” said Dr. Muhammad Tauhidur Rahman, Director of Graduate Studies and organizer of UTD’s GIS Day event. “This event allows us to bring together leaders who demonstrate how geospatial technology can drive positive change, both locally and nationally.”

Keynote Highlights:

• Urban Growth and Sustainability: Speakers from the cities of Allen and Arlington shared how their municipalities use GIS to manage urban development sustainably. They discussed leveraging GIS to monitor infrastructure and construction projects, optimize land use, and carefully plan zoning spaces. By employing GIS technology, these cities are effectively balancing development with environmental preservation, ensuring sustainable growth.
• Public Safety and Emergency Response: The speaker from the City of Plano provided valuable insights into how GIS supports public safety, from aiding police stations to enhancing 911 response systems. He also shared his experiences working on various international projects, demonstrating GIS’s versatility and impact on public safety worldwide.
• National Security and Intelligence: The representative from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) discussed GIS’s critical role in national security. Highlighting the NGA’s work in geospatial data analysis, they explained how GIS helps the agency monitor global disastrous events, support defense operations, and anticipate potential threats.
• The event drew a diverse audience, including GIS students, faculty, and local government representatives, who were eager to learn more about GIS applications from the experts. Dr. Rahman expressed hope that the event would inspire students to pursue careers in geospatial sciences and make meaningful contributions in areas such as urban planning, environmental management, and public safety.

As GIS technology continues to evolve, UTD’s GIS Day celebration showcased the immense potential of geospatial tools to address today’s complex societal challenges. For more information about UTD’s Geospatial Information Sciences Program, visit the program’s website.