QATAR GIS DATABASE
Agencies in Qatar GISnet are constantly in the process of automating and building their databases on the guidelines and standards set by the Centre for GIS. Majority of the agencies have completed significant portion of their GIS databases consisting of both spatial (geographic) and
non-spatial (attribute) data besides taking up the regular updating issues. The data is made available online to the agencies connected with each other through Qatar GISnet.
The main efforts have been to customize the day-to-day activities of agencies and make the processes easy with the optimum use of the GIS technology. A number of GIS applications developed by the Centre for GIS and the agencies are being used by the end users in the government as well as private sector. Of course, there have been certain limitations to restricting the process of continuous data automation and dynamic updating in some cases.
QATAR ENTERPRISE GIS BENEFITS
The benefits of Qatar enterprise GIS in general and in statistical operations in particular is discussed here, which highlight the benefits of the system followed and may serve as a case for many such areas in the Middle East and the outside world. The nationwide GIS policy makes geographic information available in the desired format for effective planning and better coordination and cooperation between government agencies. It can be seen bringing awareness among the user agencies and educating them about the technology. The process has facilitated the agencies through:
- Fibre optic network physically connecting the agencies
- Online around the clock common spatial reference
- Identified core agency for mapping
- Effective planning and better coordination of government agencies
- Quick delivery of services
- Global outreach through Internet
- Resource saving by many departments e.g. in developing digital base map of Qatar
The highest level political support, outstanding technical leadership and manpower, adequate funding and relatively small and uncomplicated geographic and administrative set up of the country etc. have been the main governing forces behind successful enterprise GIS implementation in Qatar.
LIMITATIONS
Inspite of remarkable achievements in setting up a countrywide shared geographic data policy, strictly based on the principles of following same standards and norms set forth for each agency, Qatar GIS still faces challenges in areas such as data capturing, data updating, demand for processed data, trends in data concepts, adaptation of technology, data security, advanced GIS tools and trained and motivated manpower.
AGENCIES BENEFITS - A CASE OF QATAR STATISTICS
As noted, all the agencies in Qatar GISnet have significantly benefited from the GIS implementation in the country. Resource Saving by many departments e.g., in developing digital database of Qatar Area Referencing System, Topographic database, Real Estate Registration, Qatar Telecommunication, Drainage, Electricity and Water and road network database, conduct of censuses and socio-economic surveys. Public utility tasks, which previously used to take weeks, are now completed in as early as a day. Qatar Statistical Department is one significant agency, which has benefited through this process.
Geographic information is a basic necessity in statistical operations. It is required and plays a very important role at every stage from preparation and planning for a census to fieldwork, data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of the results.
Interestingly, the greatest strength of a GIS in any statistical operation is not the mapping and database functionality, but the tools it contains for manipulating socio-economic data together with other geographical information.
QATAR GISNET AND STATISTICAL OPERATIONS
The Statistical Department belonging to the Supreme Planning Council of Qatar is responsible for entire statistical operations of the country. The department conducts a number of census and surveys related to demography and other socio-economic issues. The department also supervises and gives guidelines to any such surveys conducted by other agencies in the country.
Qatar Nationwide GIS policy has helped the entire statistical operation, reduced the cost and time involved and at the same time enhanced the quality of output and scope for its better interpretation. The department being part of Qatar GISnet accesses the required geographic information online from other agencies in the network and in turn makes available the census geographic database and statistical data.
GIS plays an important role in every stage of statistical operations. Broadly, these include (a) Preparatory Work (b) Field Work and Enumeration (c) Data Processing (d) Databases (e) Dissemination of Results and (f) Analysis and Interpretation of Results. Qatar nationwide GIS policy being implemented through Qatar's GISnet fulfills the entire GIS requirements of any census or socio-economic survey conducted in the country. It has helped and benefited the whole operation in many ways - the difference made is clearly seen. This can be established through a brief and general comparison between the scenarios prior to and after GIS implementation in the country.
GIS requirements of any statistical operation can be grouped as:
Pre- enumeration Stage: GIS techniques are exclusively used in planning, administration and training; in preparation of base maps and enumeration area maps; in the field work during house listing, numbering and the enumeration; and in overall monitoring of data collection process. The basic geographic information requirements at this stage include (i) Administrative area maps showing the previous and latest details of territorial boundaries and administrative units, (ii) Exhaustive base map of the area with important topographic features, landmarks, and place names, (iii) Street network data with geo-coded addresses (iv) Latest aerial/ortho photographs or satellite images of the area and (v) GPS Coordinates.
Qatar enterprise GIS has now made possible to quickly draw different kinds of maps sitting at the statistical department and accessing information online through Qatar GISnet from different agencies such as Centre for GIS, Land Information Centre, Utilities Depart-ments etc.
It was not at all possible prior to GIS implementation. Now the Statis-tical Department GIS unit compiles a detailed up-to-date base map every time a census or survey is undertaken.The difference GIS has made to the geographic requirements of the pre-enumeration stage
primarily include: Availability of latest geographic information in the form of maps, ortho and satellite image, GPS
coordinates and street and plot addresses. The information now available in digital format can be easily manipulated and
has no limitation of drawing at different scale and size. Further, the changes
from the field can be quickly incorporated and up-to-date maps can be
produced quickly.