Fig. 8. Fishery Administrative District Boundary - linked to RDBMS for resource planning. 
The physical space between d k and d k +, could varies 
(vertically) and use a scale different from horizontal scale. The 
resultant flat-file of buffer is shown in Appendix 1. 
c) 3D overlay 
lntersect_(A, B) = A v B 
Overlay_(A, B) = A A B 
B. Multiple dimensions and time 
Since the object is represented as a matrix, additional 
attributes, time sequence change and/or multi-dimension can 
be ‘added-on’ extra columns 
C. Fuzzy analysis (FZ) and Neural Networks (NNW) 
The easement of Fuzzy Set appoach is to classify an object (or 
element) into a degree of belonging to a certain class, unlike 
the conventional logic which classify the object (or element) to 
be in or not in a certain class (yes or no, Boolean logic). Two 
main advantages of using fuzzy set approach. First, it can map 
the transitional phenomena of physical environment. Secondly, 
it allows the expert knowledge to be codifying into computer 
system. Most of current GIS vendors do not include this 
powerful function, expect IDRISI (Eastman, 1995). 
Neural Network (NNW) originates from an attempt to model 
the fundamental cell of the brain and the neuron, which leads 
to neurocomputating. It is a black box technology, data-driven 
modeling techniques that beyond the traditional mathematical 
and statistical methods. NNW provides a viable paradigm for 
machine learning and once the implementation problems were 
overcome the technology has an amazingly wide range of 
potential applications. Kasabov (1996), Openshaw and 
Openshaw (1997) and Perlovsky (2001). 
D) Object-Oriented Modeling 
Object-Oriented modeling techniques has developed in recent 
years (Pollock and McLaughlin, 1991), with particular to 
environmental studies given by Oliver and Johannes (1994). 
Object-Oriented modeling is more flexible for simulating 
change in time and would very useful when the relationship 
between the object is properly defined. 
4. Discussion 
In the past two decade, integrated coastal zone management 
(ICZM) (Van der Weide, 1993; Cicin-Sain and Knecht, 1998; 
Post and Lunding, 1996) has been put into practice and 
become widely accepted approach for coastal zone 
management. The ICZM aims to ensure that the decision is 
made with thoughtful consideration of all user groups and 
sustainability of the coastal environment. GIS, as decision 
supporting tools, will play more and more important role in the 
processes of ICZM, therefore, GIS trainning has been listed as 
high priority in CZM education. 
The development of Coastal GIS not only provides a powerful 
tool for coastal management, but also, in return, has an impact 
on the way of practice of coastal management, thus the police 
and management plan. 
Coastal GIS application and development are inherently 
interact. The needs is called for better GIS functions. 
Therefore, the development of coastal GIS should aligned with 
the principle of ICZM. This determinates that coastal GIS has 
four characteristics as follows: 
i) Integrated approach of four aspects, including 
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