Zululand District Municipality Geographic Information Systems
INTRODUCTION
The Geographic Information System falls under the Planning Department. It consists of a GIS Administrator that is responsible for the following key functions:
· To maintain and manage the ZDM Database
· To prepare maps for the ZDM, Local Municipalities, councillors, community members, etc
· To liaise verbally and in writing with external and internal stakeholder with GIS related issues
· To control and monitor budget and expenditure of the GIS Unit
BACKGROUND
Geographic Information System (GIS) has become an essential tool for analyzing and displaying spatial data with linkage tabular or attribute data that allows presentation of accurate and timely information to decision makers to assist in the responsible management of resources of the Zululand District Municipality (ZDM).
The Zululand District Municipality is very insightful of how data is captured, managed, maintained, acquired, disseminated, printed and secured for the short, medium and long term planning purposes. The ZDM GIS is a powerful tool for spatial planning, and is increasingly used in complex decisions by all municipalities within Zululand. The GIS is continuously expanding, and data verified on a regular basis to ensure that datasets are current.
The Zululand GIS Unit has plays an imperative role on assisting the ZDM and its family of Municipality, Sector Departments, Consultants and the local Community with maps and updated information that are essential for their day-to-day activities.
OBJECTIVES
The ZDM GIS Unit intends to support the following objectives:
· Coordinate geographic information management.
· Promote the view of geographic information as a critical information asset.
· To enable access to geographic data and support data sharing.
· Provide coordination to share GIS resources, including personnel, hardware, software, data and training with Local Municipalities and various development stakeholders.
· To keep an up to date district data and integrated data as a strategic resource.
· Improve data quality
· To promote partnerships and collaboration to develop and use the GIS
GIS SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
ZDM uses products from ESRI ArcGIS and is currently using Arc View 9.3. The spatial data is saved as shape files (shp). This is used for ensuring that the work carried out for ZDM is delivered in a format and standard that is acceptable to the GIS requirements of the organization. The software is upgraded frequently for the improvement of quality of work output.
The following are the Peripherals that are used in the GIS Unit:
· DELL D800 LAPTOP: mainly used for presentations and out of office work
· DELL COMPUTER AND 21” MONITOR: for office work
· HP DESIGNJET T1100 PLOTTER (HIGH SPEED): plots large data sets, especially for raster data sets as they can create extremely large plot files. Most suitable for images.
· HP 800 PLOTTER: plots large data sets, especially for raster data sets as they can create extremely large plot files and it is recommended to get as much RAM on the plotter as possible.
· EPSON SCANNER: for working with oversize maps and hard copy and getting a high resolution as possible.
· A0 LAMINATOR
· A0 PAPER TRIMMER
The peripherals that are mentioned above were chosen based on the investigation that was taken which includes the compatibility of the devices with both the GIS software and other hardwares. The above mentioned gives the ZDM an urge over other Municipalities and makes the ZDM one of the best in KwaZulu Natal.
DATA
The data is verified upon receival of data and as when the need for a particular dataset is required. The data is updated half yearly and others due to financial implications are updated when the need arise for it (i.e. Images).
MAP VIEWER
This is a programme that is designed for non GIS competent users who want to view maps. This is another way that the District makes information accessible to all.
MAP PRODUCTION
This phase is a result of Hardwares, Softwares, Methods, Data and the GIS Operator. The GIS Unit produces a minimum of ten (10) maps a week even though it varies with the demand. On certain weeks ten (10) maps are produced on daily basis. Maps are made available to the Public, Consultants, Sector Departments, Councillors, Staff Members, etc at no charge.
The Councillors also make requests from time to time to settle Ward Boundary disputes and to know what services are available on their respective wards.
Example of a ZDM Map
ACHIEVEMENTS
The GIS Unit has achieved full support of the GIS and Planning Portfolio Committee and this was achieved through various presentations to the committee. This has made the council understand the importance of GIS.
The GIS Unit has also fostered internal working relationships with other departments of the Municipality. The most noticeable growth is with the Technical Services with an ever increasing demand of information and maps of the water networks, water provision and sources in the District.
There’s an increase demand of the ZDM datasets from the Sector Departments and the Consultants because of the quality of the ZDM GIS Datasets
The GIS Unit has encountered a few achievements through the Shared Services Programme that seeks to build up capacity and provide capacity support to Local Municipality. Two personnel have been appointed, the GIS Administrator appointed on the 1st of May 2010 and the GIS Specialist that commence duties on the 1st of August 2010. These are highly qualified personnel that will see GIS and systems development of the Local Municipalities.
CONSTRAINTS
There’s still a general misconception of what GIS is and what it can do for the Council. It is usually mystified or likened to IT.
There is a shortage of skilled Operators situated in Local Municipalities.
There is a challenge to eliminate the data silos through incorporating all data into a central data repository and make data available to all.