7. Bangalore Spatial Planning & Data Centre (Bspdc)
Objectives
The objective is to enhance, facilitate and promote the efficient, cost-effective development and use of GIS in Bangalore. This is achieved through the creation, maintenance, and distribution of database; the provision of GIS services to organizations and individuals; and the coordination of activities related to GIS and technology
Need and background
Statistics show that 80% of information used by government agencies has a spatial component, Integration of information from various agencies and assimilating voluminous information for analysis.
To coordinate a systematic implementation of GIS in Bangalore, which simplifies data transfer between all agencies, minimizes data redundancy and ensures suitably trained personnel are available to operate and manage the various components of the system. Spatial Center does this by
- developing GIS standards, specifications and procedures for the orderly collection, and retrieval of GIS data;
- by encouraging inter-agency cooperation through sharing of data etc;
- by providing accurate spatial reference bases, technical support and advice;
- by developing spatial data products;
- by hosting training programs, seminars and conferences; and
- by publishing periodicals
Organizational structure
It is suggested as a semi-government organization and the organizational structure of the
Bangalore Spatial Planning & Data Center, consists of executive board which has three tiers as follows:
- Board chairman - Nominated by the state government works under the urban development department
- Board members - Representatives from the various stakeholders, technically competent, eminent persons in the field of GIS.
- Technical/Project members - The officials / technical people involved in GIS projects from the various stakeholders and technically competent persons
It is supported financially by the urban development department and for the project development either through the national or international financing institutions.
Responsibilities
It plays a key role in standardization by data sharing and in fostering cooperation amongst Government agencies. Responsibilities include
- Coordinate systematic implementation of GIS
- Developing GIS standards
- Organizing GIS coordinator group meetings
- Assists various local government agencies, help in technology transfer, setting up GIS
- Developing GIS & GPS products
- Providing technical information and support
Services
It offers a variety of products and services to diverse clients involved in public decisions. The power of GIS aids officials in organizing, retrieving and analyzing geographic data and in communicating complex data relationships. It provides reliable, high quality public data along with technical assistance, analysis, custom mapping and data management. The two broad areas of services offered by the Spatial Center are as follows:
- Consultation
- Application development - Tailor GIS to produce custom views, maps, analysis and reports
- Spatial Analysis - Explore relationships between map features or between layers of data; applies criteria to geographic data to select locations.
- System Planning - Determine the right configuration of GIS hardware and software
- Technical Assistance - Get over technical barriers, save time for interpretation and reporting.
- Data development and enhancement
Build, maintain, verify and improve databases.
8. Conclusion
The Digital Urban Management Programme envisions a future where GIS is recognized as an integral and indispensable information tool for government and business, serving the integrated information needs of both citizens and customers.
The implementation of a GIS system represents a journey and not a destination. New uses, new applications and new users will continue to evolve into the foreseeable future. Major benefits will derive from opportunities currently unforeseen. As a result, for the foreseeable future, this "project" will have no definable end.