Introducing GIS based E- Plan to Local Authorities
Case study for Dehiwela Mt. Lavinia MC Area
Abstract
The Information System & GIS Division of the Urban Development Authority has introduced a new concept in the field of GIS based Spatial Planning to its declared Urban Local Authorities, called as E – Plan concept. The main objective of this program is to create and develop an Integrated Geo-Information System to all Urban Local Authorities of Sri Lanka. It will include a digital spatial database and a spatial Information System for their customers as well as stake holders by using GIS, GPS & RS Technology.
The necessary base maps and data layers for this purpose have been prepared by interpreting aerial photographs, chain survey sheets, topographic maps and available digital data, which have been updated with the help of latest available high resolution IKONOS satellite data. Extensive field work conducted to incorporate information regarding detailed urban land use pattern, along with current available amenities and facilities. Thus detail information on Administrative Boundaries, Usage of Buildings, Physical Infrastructures, Road Network and Social Infrastructures have been depicted in terms of MC Boundary and even Ward Boundary. Altogether there would be more than 75 data layers at different scales and apart from that other information were in literature form.
The customized prototype GIS applications were prepared for non-GIS users, especially for Local Authority Staff, General Public and introduced an automated system for Building Planning Approval Process. The new Relational Database Management System was established and parameters for quality checking were introduced. The entire project has been executed by using GIS package. Finally, this system will offer many day-to-day advantages by providing strategically information. Linking information to its location enables Local Authority managers to understand the characteristics of their communities, such as Land use and proposed land uses, special project areas and planning regulations, as well as the smallest details such as the exact location of a manhole, electricity poles and garbage collection places etc. Less paper work, able to arriving alternative solutions by changing various scenarios, automation routing work of the Local Authority, able to produce quality maps, user-friendly interfaces for adding and updating data, possibility of retrieving and sharing data, help to reduce time of processing of development planning applications are some of advantages achieved by this system.
The implementation of such system depends on the commitment of the Management of the Council. If Council could realized the value of spatial information system it will long last, otherwise it may be wastage to the Local Authority.
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