Resumen en español

A review of the experiences with GIS technology that different municipalities and governmental institutions in the Oriente Antioqueño and Valle de Aburrá regions have had is presented here, identifying conditions that have made its appropriation in a daily basis easier or more difficult. The advantages of GIS technology are shown here from a simple perspective, achievable practically by any municipality or governmental institution. Based on the experiences of municipalities that for several years have been in the process of using this tool, it is shown how general data that are daily obtained can be easily organized, analyzed, and visualized for decision making in planning helped by GIS technology, starting from simple systems, and making them stronger as experience and familiarity with the technology is gained. The most used GIS software and functions in Colombia are presented, as well as a description of the problem of reliable data availability and interaction between governmental institutions, since this is considered a chief condition for consistent planning processes.