12-17, 13:30–14:00 (Asia/Bangkok), Auditorium Hall 1
The GRASS GIS project, a pioneering open-source geographic information system, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023. As one of the long-standing contributors, I am honored to reflect on the remarkable journey of this leading open-source geospatial software and community. Over the past four decades, GRASS GIS has grown from a modest project initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to a robust, globally recognized platform for geospatial analysis and modeling. This evolution is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of the GRASS community, which has continually driven innovation and excellence.
My personal relationship with GRASS GIS began over thirty years ago when I was a student and first encountered its powerful capabilities. Even then, I was fascinated by its potential to revolutionize spatial analysis and environmental modeling. With the advent of the Internet, we were able to build a passionate community behind the project. Through collaborative efforts, we have significantly expanded the functionality of GRASS GIS, improved its user interface through multiple iterations, and ensured its adaptability to the ever-changing technological landscape.
In this keynote, I will reflect on the milestones that have shaped GRASS GIS from its inception at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA/CERL) to its current status as a cornerstone of the open-source geospatial ecosystem. The latest releases of GRASS GIS include thousands of changes, including the new single-window GUI layout and enhanced parallelization capabilities. These enhancements underscore our commitment to improving the user experience and computational efficiency. The past decade has also been marked by vibrant community engagement through the OSGeo Foundation. I will highlight key contributions from the global community, showcase groundbreaking research and applications, touch on FOSS business models, and explore the challenges we have overcome along the way.
The future of GRASS GIS is bright as we anticipate further innovation and expanded applications, driven by the same collaborative ethos that has defined our past. Together we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in geospatial analysis, ensuring that GRASS GIS remains at the forefront of this dynamic field.
