Abu Dhabi, 13 Feb. 2011 (WAM): The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City has made prominent achievements in the field of data services during 2010 that included setting up a spatial data information base and delivering a host of significant projects under a comprehensive plan aimed at upgrading the Geographic Information System (GIS) and survey, and enhancing the urban development to keep abreast of the development drive witnessed by Abu Dhabi Emirate in all spheres based on sustainability standards as well as the best international practices.
These achievements are aligned with the developmental, environmental and socio-economic aspects envisaged in Abu Dhabi Strategic Plan 2030 that has paved the way for decision-makers to carry out their tasks in support of this drive, particularly in the field of urban planning as part of the Municipalitys endeavors towards making Abu Dhabi one of the best metropolitan cities worldwide. According to Engineer Salah Awad Al Sarraj, Acting Executive Director of Town Planning Sector, the achievements made by the Municipality in spatial data management are significant in so far as they contributed to providing a strategic reserve of geographic information and data to support proper evidence-based decision-making process when planning for comprehensive development projects. Al Sarraj pointed out that some projects were completed and that others were underway, stressing that all of them were vitally important both at the local and national levels."Through the Spatial Data Division, the Municipality is working on the provision of the latest and highly accurate data for the use of stakeholders and decision-makers. In this area it has taken the initiative at the regional and international level by carrying out a number of qualitative projects such as the construction of a 3 D Model for Abu Dhabi Emirate. Its Hydrographic Information Systems Section has embarked upon the construction of a database that includes all engineering hydrographic works needed to plan and implement coastal development projects to the best international coastal management and development practices in addition to other projects of strategic significance", he added.
"The Municipality is continually coordinating with other related entities in order to define and meet the governmental requirements in view of the importance of spatial database in the demographic, health, economic and agricultural planning and other vital fields. For these purposes, the Municipality provides solid and evolvable information infrastructure in support of smooth and rapid decision-making through visualized 2D and 3D models with high analytical and modeling capacities", he remarked.
Regarding the projects already carried out and those underway, engineer Yousef Al Marzooqi, Director of Spatial Data, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, said: "The Municipality has carried out vital projects in 2010 including the Base Map Project which was intended to update the spatial database of Abu Dhabi Emirate and activate the role of the Base Map in securing the necessary information constituting the knowledge base for proper planning and practical decision-making for all urban development and infrastructure projects across Abu Dhabi Emirate". The Municipality has also carried out the Drafting of the Specifications & Manual of Residential Units Data Exchange Project with the aim of establishing a joint mechanism for all government bodies for the geographic coding at the locations of residential units based on the Standard Real Estate Numbers Central Registry. The GIS and Aerial Photography Online Data Project is an important project carried out for building an integrated system for review, analysis and exchange of the Municipalitys data of spatial significance. The project will contribute to providing easy access to the appropriate information by browsing through the Intranet or Internet at any time and place and deriving the required information so easily. Al Marzooqi added: "In 2010 the Municipality has completed Part 1 of the Irrigation and Surface Drainage Information System Project regarding the applications of irrigation and surface drainage networking. This project is intended to form the basis of an integrated irrigation and surface drainage networking information system including the provision of hardware, software and applications in support of decision-making and the provision of services needed for planning, design and implementation of irrigation and surface drainage networks and facilities to assist in constructing a green and sustainable infrastructure in Abu Dhabi Emirate". Al Marzooqi noted that the Spatial Data would continue its efforts to carry out yet further projects in service of comprehensive and sustainable development in the Emirate. "The Spatial Data Division is in the process of undertaking other projects, some of which will be completed in 2011 and others are scheduled for completion at a later stage such as the Earthquake Risk Control and Management System Project scheduled for 2012; which is considered a premier project at the national level", he pointed out. Al Marzooqi also singled out the Mobile Inspection System Project carried out by the Spatial Data Division in collaboration with the Municipal Services Sector and Technical Planning Division; which is expected to be completed in 2011. He also pointed out to the 3 D Abu Dhabi City Representation Project, which aims to build an integrated information system for Abu Dhabi Emirate and support the strategic decisions relating to the sustainable urban development. The Municipality is currently carrying out the Real Estate Geographic Data Central Registration System Project, which is expected to be complete by the second half of the current year. The Municipality has also embarked upon the implementation of the Field Office Electronic Messaging Project, known as e-Zajel, which is based on the capitalization on the currently available modern technology of highly efficient communication and computerization to avert the malfunctioning associated with the use of conventional methods in carrying out daily transactions. This project is expected to be completed before the middle of the current year.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
