Research

As a research organization, CentroGeo is very young. During its first three years, research in GIScience has been organized around four main avenues: Cybercartography, Integral Solutions in Geomatics, Qualitative Research in Geomatics and methodological issues in Natural Resource Management and Landscape Ecology.

CentroGeo grants high priority to projects of high social and economic impact. Its strategic orientation directs both applied research and technological development towards processes and the generation of products and services of high perceived value.

The main areas of work related with the interaction with society are:

• Environmental management
• Territorial planning
• Landscape ecology
• Business geographics
• Electoral geography

As a result, CentroGeo contributes with integral solutions for the sustained and sustainable development of public, private, national and international organizations

The main areas on theoretical issues in GIScience include: spatial analysis and modeling (regionalization, contextual algorithms, environmental modeling), thematic mapping, cybercartography and core knowledge in Geomatics.

The main contributions in technology include:

• Cybercartography
• Participative Cartography
• Regionalization
• Contextual algorithms for image processing
• Coupling of mathematical models to Geomatics solutions
• “Seamless” solutions in Geomatics

Through the heterarquical research and development groups a balance between theory, practice, technology and technical activities is sought and team work is highly promoted.

Research Projects

Some of the research projects and technology products and services include:

• Cyberatlas

Goal: to explore new conceptual frameworks in Cartography incorporating digital mapping, multimedia, HTML programming and qualitative research applied to environmental management.

Sponsors: CentroGeo, World Bank and SEMARNAP (Mexican Ministry of Environment)

Deliverables: CD’s with in-house programming for: the Lake of Chapala, Patzcuaro, the Lacandona region, forest fire risks in Mexico, Mar de Cortes, educational product for the Lake of Chapala. 3000 CDs were produced and are being provided free to the interested communities, government and private organizations. The software was developed using Mapobjects and VisualBasic.

• SIMET

Goal: To develop a system to provide periodic data and information about the land condition, with emphasis in land use and the natural resources degradation process and their impact in the production systems.

Sponsors: CentroGeo and SEMARNAP (Mexican Ministry of Environment)

Deliverables: CD with in-house programming for the region of Cuatrociénagas, Coahuila. The software was developed using Mapobjects and Visual Basic. An application in ArcView was also developed.

• Ecosystem services and the City of Mexico

Goal: To develop a spatial analysis of the main ecosystem services that support Mexico City’s environmental quality;

Sponsors: The Institute of Engineering of the National University of Mexico and the Ministry of Environment of the Government of the Federal District, with funds from USAID.

Deliverables: A Geomatics application oriented to obtain an spatial reference and evaluation of the ecosystem services; specially those related to recharge of the aquifer, carbon sequestration, ecotourism, soil protection. This application includes several models and tools that allow: an evaluation of the degradation processes of the ecosystem; its relation to the vulnerability of Mexico City; an evaluation of the main pressures on the ecosystem and its services (urban expansion, agricultural expansion, etc)

• Tizapán El Alto

Goal: To develop a Geomatics Integral Solution to promote the application of a new conceptualization of the use of Geomatics´ sciences; it will support the territorial planning processes.

Sponsors: CentroGeo and SEMARNAP (Mexican Ministry of Environment)

Deliverables: CD with in-house programming for Tizapan El Alto municipality in Jalisco. The software was developed using Mapobjects and Visual Basic. An application in ArcView was also developed.

• Geomatics Solutions for Hurricane Hazards: The Acapulco Case

Goal: To explore the use of Geomatics as a tool to help in the prevention and attention of natural hazards.

Sponsors: CentroGeo and SEMARNAP (Mexican Ministry of Environment)

Deliverables: CD with in-house programming for Acapulco Bay, Guerrero. The software was developed using Mapobjects and Visual Basic. A CD with general information was also included.

• Geomatics and Scientific Management

Goal: Development of high technology tools for Spatial Analysis that will provide a territorial approach to planning and management of science and technology in Mexico.

Sponsors: CentroGeo and CONACYT (Mexican National Science Foundation)

Deliverables: A metodologic document, a geo-spatial solution for science and technology, interfase con las soluciones informáticas del CONACYT, regional projects: cluster análisis and innovations poles. Geo-spatial indicators for science and technology.

• Geocities: the case of Mexico City

Goal: To elaborate an assessment of the main environmental problems of Mexico City, using an spatial approach and in accordance with the methodology of the GEOCITIES Project of UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), and make it accessible thru the WEB;

Sponsors: United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the Ministry of Environment of the Government of the Federal District.

Deliverables: A report of the environment –main issues- of Mexico City; a simple cartographic application with all the spatial information of the territory of the Federal District, that includes a large rural area and Mexico City, and its surrounding metropolitan area; a template with indicators and qualitative information (that summarizes this report and allows a comparative analysis with other cities in the GEOCITIES project) to incorporate in a special WEB site.