New Esri Press Book Explores the Impact of GIS on Virtual Reality

November 1, 2011

This book details the history and vast potential of VGE.

Redlands, California—Virtual Geographic Environments, from Esri Press, is a collection of key papers written by leading members of the geospatial community that examines the relationship between GIS and virtual geographic environments (VGE). Edited by professors Hui Lin and Michael Batty, the book is organized into five sections, beginning with a primer on VGEs and followed by an exploration of virtual cities and landscapes, interface design and public participation, mobile and networked VGEs, and finally dynamics in visualization.

"With the migration of GIS technologies to decentralized web-based services and cloud computing applications, and the seamless interaction between remote servers and various clients, the geographic environment is now highly important to the way users interact with the system and each other, which is central to the use of virtual reality technologies," write Lin and Batty.

Lin is professor and director of the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and chief editor of the journal Annals of GIS. Batty is Bartlett professor of planning at University College London, where he directs the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis.

"The creation of virtual geographic environments is essential to the GeoDesign process," says Jack Dangermond, Esri president. "VGE allows the exploration of various construction options and opportunities that can ultimately save time and cost, as well as minimize the environmental impact of the completed structure. This book provides insight into the vast potential of virtual geographic environments."

Virtual Geographic Environments (ISBN: 978-1-58948-318-7, 364 pages, US$49.95) is available at online retailers worldwide, at esri.com/esripress, or by calling 1-800-447-9778. Outside the United States, visit esri.com/esripressorders for complete ordering options, or visit esri.com/distributors to contact your local Esri distributor. Interested retailers can contact Esri Press book distributor Ingram Publisher Services.

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About Esri Press
Esri Press publishes books on GIS, cartography, and related topics. The complete selection of GIS titles from Esri Press can be found on the web at esri.com/esripress.

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Jim Baumann, Esri
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