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GIS Thematic Maps Project
Manal Abdalla Sabeal
GIS Photogrammetry Analyst
Dubai Municpality,
UAE
Email: MASABEAL@dm.gov.ae
Abstract:
Dubai Municipality has always taken the lead in implementing the latest available
technologies to protect the environment. In accord with such practice, the “Thematic
Maps Project” has been started to contribute in protecting the environment by using both
GIS and remote sensing technologies. This paper will discuss the details of executing the
“Environmental and General Purpose Dubai GIS Scientific Remote Sensing Monitoring
Project”.
The project aim is aiding protecting and monitoring environment using remote sensing
and GIS technology. The project will create and use several layers of environmental
data such as oil slick sources, monitoring land degradation and consequences, measuring
marine parameters and determining the sources of industrial pollution.
Project aims:
Environmental quality is degraded by urban growth, industrial development, increase of
transportation facilities and higher traffic volume among many other facts. This matter
cannot be neglected because degradation of the environment means the failure to create a
suitable and congenial environment for living.
- The main aim of this project is to implement the latest available technologies to
protect the environment by using the combined technology of GIS and Remote
Sensing.
- Using different specialized and qualified scientists for assisting the management,
planners and decision-making by providing an up-to-date environmental digital
dynamic thematic maps.
- Intending to add to other GIS and Remote Sensing projects the value of
environmental coastal mapping and monitoring, irrigating and drainage,
agricultural, fishers and other general issues related to benefiting the emirate of
Dubai through the combination of GIS and Remote Sensing.
- Providing support to the decision makers, environmental protectors and to
planners for creating the future projects and regulations of the emirate besides a
better monitoring of the environment, benefiting the emirate and the environment.
- Minimizing survey data collection.
Project Environmental Layers:
The project is covering ten environmental topics, serving contiguous benefits to the living
environment of Dubai Emirate.
The protecting environmental layers in the design stage are:
- Determining of oil slick sources.
- Enforcing fishery agreements and rules.
- Determining the sources of industrial pollution.
- Protecting coastal quality.
- Protecting wildlife and biodiversity.
- Monitoring land degradation and consequences.
- Assisting monitoring the air quality.
- Monitoring water quality.
- Measuring marine parameters.
Theme table explanation:
Each theme has predefined sub themes or layers. Each layer contains geographical
features and attributes.
Combination of GIS and Remote Sensing technologies shall be implemented to solve and
produce the final thematic environmental layers of the project.
Theme Name:
Sources of industrial pollution
Monitoring waste sources and waste disposal sites for both hazardous and nonhazardous
waste.
Theme aims:
- To determine the geographical positions of the effective waste generation
sources and waste disposal sites.
- To discriminate between the different waste material types according to its
effect to the environment and the handling aspects of this waste.
Expected results and benefits from each theme and sub theme:
- Understanding waste disposal locations and needs.
- Detecting the hazardous waste disposal sites.
- Exploring the pollution effect to the environment.
- Aids planning future waste disposal.
- Understanding subsurface waste characteristics.
- Determining the physical and chemical properties of the lining and underlining
rocks.
- Identification of potential fluid migration paths and their effects to the
environment.
- Distributional pattern of both hazardous and non hazardous waste sources known.
Project stages:
The project will cover two main stages:
Stage # 1:
Shall be concerned with creating the digital thematic maps and setting the proper
strategies for an easy updating and monitoring process.
Stage # 2:
Shall cover the strategies for further monitoring and updating the different thematic
layers continuously for five years.
Conclusions & Expectations:
- Continuously monitoring the environmental thematic layers leading to
conservation plan.
- Disconservation plan shall be provided to decision makers and stakeholders for
considering it when planning the emirate future.
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