Abstract:
With the increased use of broadband Internet facilities and high speed computers, the range
of desktop GIS applications being migrated to the Internet is growing by the day. This study
presents the development of an online mapping application for the Accra Metropolitan
Assembly (A.M.A.) using MapServer, an Internet GIS technology.
MapServer is an open source development environment used for creating mapping
applications to display dynamic spatial maps over the Internet as well as generating
geographic image maps. MapServer is fast, flexible and runs on all major operating systems.
The process of developing the Accra online map, its advantages and drawbacks of the
MapServer application are discussed. The application displays interactive online map for the
A.M.A. area drawn from shapefiles. GIS functions such as measure, query and navigation
tools including pan, zoom etc, have been programmed. This application can serve as an
online resource for disseminating public information for the Accra Metropolita
