ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the diffusion of GIS in Portuguese local government at a crucial stage in its development. It analyses the results of the study after introducing the national context and the institutional and data environments of Geographic information systems (GIS) use in the different governmental and private institutions. The level of use and performance of these systems needs to be analysed and its connection with studies on GIS diffusion must be fostered. Among CNIG's activities, the two programmes outlined below have a key role in creating the background for the diffusion of GIS in local government. The findings reported in this chapter indicate that there are strong possibilities that the national GIS profile of Portugal will change dramatically in the near future, due to the intervention of the Portuguese Government through the PROGIP and PROSIG programmes.
