Exclusive: Future of GIS Technologies

GIS technology, essential for visualizing and analyzing geo-data, drives smarter decisions in urban planning and resource allocation. Expected to reach $35.5 billion by 2032, GIS supports diverse sectors from agriculture to telecoms.
by Sabina Mirza-Akhmedova, CEO, Mappable
Decisions by governments, organizations, and businesses — such as urban planning, resource allocation, and market expansion — are increasingly driven by data. With over 80% of enterprise data linked to location, Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, which allow for the visualization, analysis, and interpretation of vast geo datasets, are essential. The market is advancing rapidly, and interactive mapping, geospatial and navigation solutions are becoming its key tools. These technologies help businesses allocate resources better, increase efficiency, and boost overall performance.
The global GIS market is projected to surge from 2023’s $12.9 billion to approximately $35.5 billion by 2032, driven by diverse applications across agriculture, construction, transportation and defense. This growth is further fueled by substantial government investments in smart cities and digital transformation projects. Players in e-commerce, telecoms, logistics, banking, ride-tech and food-tech industries are taking advantage of digital mapping opportunities to optimize consumer decision-making and the potential for business success.
So, what drives the GIS market? Let’s explore some key insights and trends expected to shape it over the next decade.
Growing demand in emerging markets
Emerging markets, especially in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, are experiencing rapid urbanization and infrastructure investments, spurred by the adoption of digital and smart technologies. In fact, the GCC region’s GIS market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 15.1% until 2028, surpassing the global average due to economic expansion across multiple sectors. This region also has a burgeoning surge in food delivery, quick commerce, and e-retail industries, for which GIS solutions are the backbone. Effective product flow, underpinned by location intelligence, optimizes resource allocation to meet modern consumer demands through interactive maps and enterprise data integration.
Growing application across diverse sectors GIS technology also plays a crucial role in urban planning and smart city development, which is crucial as the global population grows. For instance, Dubai’s Urban Plan 2040 aims to create a ’20-minute city’ by placing 55% of the projected population of 7.8 million residents within 800 meters of mass transit stations by 2040, relying heavily on advanced location intelligence for site selection, infrastructure management, and urban planning. Mapping application programming interfaces (APIs) use AI and machine learning to analyze and utilize real-time data from IoT devices and GPS trackers, to enhance geodata quality and update estimated time of arrival. For example, Mappable’s Distance Matrix API and Route Details API account for both historical and real-time traffic and weather forecasts, ensuring more accurate route planning for different modes of travel. Smart city systems can reduce travel-to-work time by 15-20% and increase emergency response times by 20-35% as reported in research by McKinsey & Co.
Another sector that has a growing need for GIS solutions is transportation, which significantly influences the market with solutions like route planning, traffic modelling and accident analysis improving traffic flow and safety. The agricultural sector’s use of GIS is growing the fastest. GIS supports precision farming, soil and nutrient analysis, crop yield prediction, and hydrological data, boosting efficiency and sustainability while reducing costs. Interactive maps enable farmers to optimize workflows and mitigate risks, protecting both natural regeneration and business interests.
Technological innovation & integration
Advancements in mobile GIS, cloud computing, and real-time data analytics significantly enhance GIS functionality and accessibility. Mobile GIS applications are particularly impactful as they allow on-the-go geodata collection and management, improving collaboration and decision-making efficiency. Integrating GIS with CRM, ERP, and enterprise asset management systems enables more comprehensive and practical data analysis and decision-making despite the challenges due to the complexity of geodata, propelling growth.
Green mapping Sustainability initiatives are essential as climate change impacts grow. APIs in advanced maps can be tailored to optimize delivery routes using historical and real-time data, in the most energy and time-efficient manner. Integrating advanced mapping, geospatial and navigation solutions ensures not only seamless logistics but also the reduction in CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and overall costs, enabling companies to achieve sustainable goals. Government strategies, such as the UAE’s goal of achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050 and KSA’s by 2060, also benefit, particularly in sectors like transport and industry. Advanced route planning and optimization can foster a greener future with significant environmental and economic benefits.
Keeping pace with the latest GIS trends and effectively incorporating mapping solutions into software across private and public sectors is crucial for staying competitive. As mapping technology becomes integral to various sectors, businesses and governments must leverage these innovations to enhance efficiency, better resource allocation, and achieve sustainable goals, ensuring a competitive edge.