Developing a theoretical framework for the delineation of administrative boundaries within a rural context

Abstract

One of the major problems limiting the integration, comparison and transfer of data within Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) worldwide is the current arrangement of administrative boundaries. Many of these boundaries have been created by individual agencies to meet their own specific needs with very little coordination. Due to this lack of coordination, current technologies for analysing geospatial information, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cannot provide accurate results. As a result, there is a fragmentation of information over a series of boundary units. This fragmentation of information not only limits the potential uses for data collected but also the potential scope of GIS analysis possible between boundary layers. This paper forms part of an ongoing research project. To date the issue of structuring metropolitan boundaries has been addressed and widely published. In contrast, this paper focuses on providing a theoretical framework for improving the structure of administrative boundaries within the rural environment.