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| Developing a Web-based GIS Application as a Planning Infrastructure |
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One of the main purposes of the Geographical Information
System (GIS) applications is handling data: data integration,
organization and sharing. Cooperation and data sharing are very
important for planning studies. GIS is very useful for providing
organized and integrated data for performing planning studies.
A computer has the capability of integrating data from various sources, spatial
and non-spatial. It can play an important role in evolving alternate scenarios
for resource development and management. We have an abundance of data with the
district agencies.
However, not much of this data has been properly analyzed and
effectively used for plan formulation and
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implementation. An integrated system
is required where all data of all the departments is stored in a uniform format
and used for regular monitoring of projects, analysis and other regional
planning exercises. This should be a GIS-based application using
primary/secondary and tabular/spatial data that incorporate all the planning
exercises required to be done by the regional agencies/departments/research
scholars.
The Deputy Ministry for Town Planning (DMTP) of the Ministry of Municipal and
Rural Affairs (MOMRA) is very well aware of these transitions and developments
mentioned above. Therefore, the DMTP is very keen to follow the latest
technology and carry out the planning activities accordingly. Several years ago,
DMTP launched a national project to convert structural and local plans of the
Kingdom to digital geo-format, and established a Planning Information System
(PIS). Over 1,800 plans were digitized, geo-referenced and linked with their
associated attributes. The project is now completed.
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There have been recent developments through mobile computing and object-oriented
programming with a wide GIS adoption. The role and the vision of GIS have
evolved completely. Users can link the data from the ArcSDE/ArcIMS/ArcMap
Server, then automatically prepare the map of the city using the latest spatial
data and display the map in a window showing a monitoring system within seconds.
The main goal of performing such a project is to provide the geographic data to
be shared between the agencies, which are responsible for planning studies, and
to keep them connected and cooperative with each other. The system will be
basically used for computerization of the planning studies in Saudi Arabia.
Developing a GIS-aided and web-based application program is an essential way to
reach this aim. For this purpose, this system integrates GIS and Internet
capabilities, and will be a good application for integrating GIS with other
technologies and system design, and as an infrastructure of a planning
information system (PIS) that covers the entire country.
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One of the most important functions of this GIS project is that many departments
can use the database which has been developed for the purpose of developmental
monitoring. It will be useful for the documentation of the old plans, which are
often required for both administrative and research purposes. It can also be
used as reference point in evaluating and deciding on urban growth management.
Because the GIS inputs of the project are for only a few years, a lot of work
needs to be done in the very near future. Efforts are on the way to establish a
local area network in the project regions to better organize GIS activities. GIS
User Groups and the Working Group need to get organized in the near future to
coordinate and establish a nation-wide GIS facility.
Over longer terms, a wide area network linking all GIS agencies is planned using
state-of-the art technology. Efforts are also under way to integrate municipal
records and databases with the GIS for the whole Kingdom.
There is a lack of geographical data in Middle Eastern countries. For this
reason, and considering the time and cost of any planning project, it is wise to
utilize a GIS technology to establish geo-referenced digital data. Satellite
images are a good resource for the precision of the maps in this area using the
spatial adjustment process. When we geo-reference our raster, we define how data
is situated in map coordinates. This process includes assigning a spatial
reference that associates data with a specific location on the earth. Spatially
integrated raster data allow it to be viewed, queried, and analyzed with other
geographic data. There is clearly a good scope for urban GIS development in
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Saudi Arabia, and a lot will depend on what resources the Government of Saudi
Arabia and funding agencies will come up with in the near future. Further
studies are needed to be done to develop decision and support systems to
evaluate the suitability of a planning application. Developing such systems
should, however, take the organizational issues into account, namely, commitment
from all levels of staff including both technical and managerial. In addition,
it will need decision makers and expertise to develop and maintain the system.
This project, presented in this article, is an example, and shows a simple yet
powerful solution for both developing, and even developed countries, which lack
up-to-date geographical data.
References
- http://www.gisdevelopment.net/-application/urban/overview/-urbano0030.htm
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talateksioglu@ags-group.com
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Dr. Talat Eksioglu got his B.Sc. from Ankara University in Urban Design & Landscape Architecture.
He has two M.Sc. Degrees in Urban Design & Landscape Architecture from Ankara University, and an
Environmental Management E.C. European Masters Degree, European Union. He has his Ph.D. is in Planning
& GIS from Ankara University. He is also the project manager of the MOMRA Structural Planning Updating Project.
He has extensive planning and GIS experience in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
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