GEO information system (Web-GIS)
Digital capture, analysis and presentation of spatial data
A computer-supported information system with which spatial data can be digitally captured and edited, stored and reorganised, modelled and analysed, and presented alphanumerically and graphically.
Approximately 80% of all data and decisions in public life now have a spatial reference. This is particularly evident in the areas of asylum, integration and migration. Many of our data and statistics have a spatial reference, be it the country of origin in the area of asylum or the address of an advice centre or a language course provider in the area of integration. Such statistical data usually reveal their full significance only when they are prepared cartographically, following the saying, "A picture says more than a thousand words, a map easily replaces a million words."
To cope with these requirements, a geo information system has been used since the beginning of 2004. A geo information system is understood to be a "computer-supported information system that consists of hardware, software, data and applications.Using this system, spatial data can be digitally captured and edited, stored and reorganised, modelled and analysed, and presented alphanumerically and graphically." (BILL, 1994, Principles of geo information systems).
Source: BAMF
The available data are prepared in-house using GIS software produced by the company ESRI (ArcGIS ArcView 9.2) and presented as a thematic map. In addition to specialist data (internal and external statistics), geo basis data are needed for cartographical representations. We obtain geo basis data from across Germany such as the geometries of the Federal Länder, administrative districts or postcode districts from the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy. All international geo basis data are available in the ESRI's software package (ESRI Data and Maps).
Thematic maps
Thematic maps are one way of illustrating spatially related statistics and representing these cartographically. In so doing, individual themes are prepared in such a way that qualitative and quantitative statements in their spatial forms can be grasped at a glance. The following thematic map includes representations of integration course locations and the proportion of foreign nationals in individual Federal Länder. The key shows the different forms of both types of information to allow the proportion of foreign nationals and course locations to be quantified and classified. In the case of the proportion of foreign nationals, a graded colour scheme is used - the higher the number, the darker the colour. In the case of course locations, the symbol is larger the more courses there are in one location.
Source: BAMF
GIS on the internet
Web-GIS application with interactive maps
The Federal Office has the important task of actively facilitating and supporting successful integration. To this end, a web-based GIS solution (Web-GIS application) was developed for the Federal Office for the area of integration as part of the integration portal (www.integration-in-deutschland.de) so that those wishing to integrate / citizens are informed about the integration programme as best as possible. This is facilitated by new and more attractive means of conveying information via the internet.
The objective of the Web-GIS application is to provide information using the individual in-house data on the integration programme. This information includes
- Initial advisory services for immigrants (MEB)
- Integration courses
- Regional co-ordinators (Reko)
- Regional offices
- Local foreign affairs offices
- Community-focused projects.
An intuitive user interface allows the user to find out information about the integration programme directly. All that is needed is an internet browser. The comprehensive search options and the provision of information are based on interactive maps and lists of results. This allows addresses of institutions to be found close to the enquirer's location or within a specific radius (e.g. within 5 km). In addition, it is possible to establish the current status of offered integration courses, the responsibilities assigned to Rekos, local foreign affairs offices and advisory offices.
The Federal Office decided on a secure web application with no active content at all, allowing accessibility for the largest group of interested parties possible. The exchange of available geo-data with the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy takes place via Geo services (wms, wfs) using ISO and OGC standards. Accordingly, the Federal Office's Web-GIS application represents another phase in Germany's geo data infrastructure (GDI-DE).
The users
The Web-GIS application makes information available to any member of the general public with an interest in the subject and to in-house staff. There is further information in the internally protected area, for example, personnel data. All those involved in the integration process can benefit from this system – the Federal Office itself (in particular the internal area) and immigrant-run organisations and all other agencies involved with integration measures. It is possible as a result to design integration measures that are fit for purpose.
Externally:
- Immigrants
- Interested members of the public
- Local foreign affairs offices
- Advisory offices
- Local authorities
Internally:
- Regional co-ordinators
- Staff in individual specialist departments
Advantages of the application
Various data sets can be called up using different criteria and can be presented as lists and interactive maps. In addition, basic GIS functionalities can be used, such as zooming, scrolling, measuring distances, navigating by town search or an object search and spatial selection.
- Intuitive multi-lingual user interface (German, English)
- Comprehensive and complex search options and information functions
- Powerful spatial searches
- Provision of information using interactive maps and results lists
- External area for everyone
- Internal area for staff
- PDF and Excel export
- No active content (accessible)
- No installation of plug-ins or applets
- Editing function for power users
Query options
- Quick search
- Expanded search
- Address and location search
- Hierarchical search according to administrative unit
- Radius search
- Map search
- Specialist search for individual attributes
Technical implementation
The technical implementation takes place largely using OpenSource software based on a service-oriented architecture.
To the application
You can access the application via the following link: to Web-GIS-application
As a registered user, you will arrive via this link in the internal area where there will be additional detailed views available to you as an authorised user. You can log in here using your ID.
