From the Editor-in-Chief By Hussain Ali A. Al-Sayegh   My introductory comments in the premier issue of Al-Khabar concluded with, "I am aware of the challenges that lay before us, but am confident that with the support of our dedicated staff and you, our readers, the success of Al-Khabar is assured." I was both thrilled and touched by the large, positive response by our readers praising both the quality of content and design of our newsletter. Excerpted from an official letter of congratulations received from Mr. Abdulla Al-Hamar, Director of the Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture was this comment, "We are truly impressed by its (Al-Khabar's) sophisticated looks and informative contents. More importantly, it signifies a commitment to strive for the better through dedication and teamwork." Another inspiring response was from Mr. Ahmed Al-Dowsari, Director of Qatar's Planning Department and Chairman of the Technical Committee for the nation's physical development plan (PDP). This response came in the form of an article entitled, "Qatar's PDP as a GIS-Based Planning Tool." The article is most welcome and is the highlight of our Summer issue because of the significance of the PDP in the development of our country. The article provides a unique view of GIS implementation in its use for long-range planning. Also of note in this issue is the introduction of the new Centre for GIS logo, which can be found on our cover page. We believe that the fresh new look of our logo reflects the new spirit of CGIS. I am proud that Al-Khabar has generated such a positive response from its readership and again urge you to continue to respond, whether with comments or articles so that we can continue to learn and grow together.   CONTENTS NEXT