The Role of the GIS in the Development Planning of the Islamic Capitals & Cities by Amr Ali El-Sabban, Technical Director, OICC, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. | Abstract Of The Paper & The Profile of The Speaker | Speaker Index | Paper Title Index | INTRODUCTION: Over the past 30 years, the steady growth of lnformation Technology has provided new tools of collecting, storing. handling, analysing and managing the astronomical quantities of information in aform of enhanced images or spatial data. Developed countries have already acquired and imp lem ented these tools and incorporated them into their information management Systems, thus expedit the sustainability development of their countries. Developing countries are suffering from their overloaded economic problems. It has become evident that, in order to protect their investments, and to rush their development planning objectives, a systematic approach to management and maintenance of existing urban infrastructure is urgently required to control the quick deterioration of the transport and municipal services. Developing countries are doing now their best to acquire and apply such Systems to create developed services in planning projects are beginning by making full use of the sustainability developments in information systems. Due to the fact that the members of the "Organization of the Islamic Capitals and Cities" (OICC), which present 54 countries, are of varying income levels, this paper aim to analyse different applications derived from GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS implementation in the 'OICC" member cities. The paper will introduce various brief summary of case studies derived from different economic levels of the OICC members arid will go through the analysis of the applications and problems of applying the Geographic lnformation Systems will be presented as well as introduce the role of the " OICC" in developing the "Urban Information Systems" in the Islamic Capitals and Cities. The Geographic lnformation Systems "G.I.S. "and Their Role in Urban Management of "OICC" Member Cities: In recent years, the increasing efficiency of compnter technology has promote geographic information systems enabled the geographer and the urban planner to conduct more complex and extensive analysis but also, facilitated the decision making process in different fie lds as explained here below. The GIS applications which can be implemented in the Islamic Capitals and cities: The GIS can play a vital role in the development process in the Islamic Capitals & Cities as follow: - Land-use management, including monitoring of present use. - Utility management (water, sewerage, gas, electricity, telephones) - Finding sites for new developments. - Communication through maps and graphIcs with decision makers and the public. - Environmental inpact assessment - Environmen tal control and enforcement of regulations. - Resource optimization. - Population forcasting. - Pollution con trot, identifying sources and monitoring effects. - Physical planning, identifying resources and constraints. - Central government reporting supplying data and maps. - Traffic accident analysis and planning road improvements - Traffic modelling to predict traffic flaws. - Transport planning in generaL - Social services, optimizing and managing their work. - Monitoring the land market over space and time. - Land ownership records, possibly linked to national registers. - Demographic analysis, including socioeconomic data. - Managing the technology in the local administration. "Geographic information Systems" Applications In the "OICC" members: Several Islamic Cities are either using a matured GIS or in the process of doing so. using " g.i.s. " for managing the drainage system in " Qatar" : By : Mohamed Al-Hajri, Head of Drain age Division, and Shafik Jiwani, GIS Coordinator, Drainage Division, Ministry of Industry and PublicWorks, State of Qatar. The GIS in Qatar is a good example of success OBJECTIVES: Things are beginnig to change, but with the on-line digital basemap database and a series of 61_ applications developed by The Center for GIS, the effectiveness of the digital base maps and the GIS were severely tested in a project that several government agencies and the GIS group participated in that focused on the City of Al Khor and which was aimed at clearing up a lot of common problems. The AlKhor project cemen ted relationships between a variety of government departments and entrenched the value and importance of a digital baseniap and GIS to the State of Qatar. While all of land-re fated problems have not been overcome, there has been a great deal of progress made toward doing sa One of the primary requirements for each group involved in the Al Khor Project was the creation of A DATABASE SPECIFICATION AND DATA DICTIONARY (DSDD). The Center's digital basemap database specifications and data dictionary served as a model, which in the final analysis proved to be quite similar to the DSDDs of the other disciplines, although the former focuses on basemap features, whereas it goes into much miore detail on the features, items, and components. State of Qatar Wins URISA 1992 ExempIary Systems in Government Award The state of Qatar recently won the 1992 Exemplary Systems in Government Award (ESIG) from the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) in the corporate systems category. The award was given to Qatar for its work on the inipact of its digital base map database and GIS on We drainage division of Qatar's Ministry of Industry and Public Works. Qatar's Digital Base Map Database BY: Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamad Al- Thani Zul Jiwani Chairman, National GIS Steering Committee Head, The Centre for GIS State of Qatar. Exemplary Features - A digital Base Map Database (DBMD) Spec ification and Data Dictionary, which serves as a model for GIS type Specifications for all disciplines in the Government of Qatar. - A series of Database Specifications and Data Dictionaries that standardized the naming, coding and referencing for the GIS databases in eight of Qatar's government ministries which has made for effective data sharing arid opened the door to data integration and coordination of activities in the field. - A Quality Assurance Procedure that is highly automated, economic and almost free from human error, which examines the digital map files produced by industry and ensures all features are in place, properly coded, meet at map edges and that all poly gonal features close. - high resolution, topologicalty structured DBMD currently on line to eight government ministries. - A DBMD complete with a variety of functions which permit integration, correlation and analysis of a variely of user themes and subsequent query and report generation where required. - The availability of the street network portion of the DRMD on diskettes with Street names and numbers, address numbers and land marks in English and Arabic with a functional ability to display bold and pinpoint any address or place selected in any urban area of Qatar/or improved emergency response and delivery service, - An organizational structure which ensures compatibility of the DBMD with the GIS applic ations of the many thematic users of it, through a National GIS Steering Comm itee. - The establishment of GIS Units within each government ministry each of which has been trained in the use of the DBMD and GIS at a common training ground, The Center for GIS, State of Qatar. - The Center, upon request from a user can in seconds, from the Center, electronically take control of anyone in the system 's work station to assist in resolving a problem. This includes work stalions in all government ministries currently' online to the Center for GIS. 2- Geographic Information Systems in Greater Cairo region "g. c. r." egypt. case study: Background: The Egyptian government tsar begun to/ace some 0/its economic development problems by applying the Geographic information technology. There are several experiments which began in 1986 in this field. Herebelow are titles of these projects: 1- In 1986, the first project of applying the "G.I.S, "was produced. The financial source was given by the "FINLAND AID", the consultancy was given by 'he "FINMAP" company and the customer was the"EGYPTIAN SUR VEY AUTHORITIES. This project was orien ted to produce a CADA STRE SURVEY, AN ARIAL-PHOTOGRAPHY, DATABASE AND BASE MAPS using "G.I.S "technology for six different areas in G. .CR. as a first stage of the whole country 2- The second projec( was financed by the "A merican Aid" to the "EGYPTIAN SUR VEY A UTHORITIES. the Consultancy is given by "GEONIX" to prepare a great project of "URBAN INFORMATION SYSTEMS" for the whole country as second stage ofthe "FINNMAP including; 1 - LAND INFORMATION SYSTEMS 2-CARTOGRAPHIC MA PS 3- CADASTRE SYSTEM 4-BASE MAPS 5- ARIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 6-DATABASE 3- By the " FINNISH AID " and the "Soil and Water" Company as a consultant for the customer "UTILITY DATA CENTER, U.D.C.", CAIRO GOVERNORATE. a project is managed to implement underground infrastructure utility "DATABASE and BASEMAPS "for "O.C.R." (Herebelow find the project explanation.) 4- In this project, the customer here was 'Egypt Gas" company. The objective of this project is to expand the gas pipe lines through the 0.C.R. roads. They develop the project using "G. P.G software" in addition to a "CIRCUIT Package" to calculate the thickness and length of the pipelines. The "G.I. S" is used to produce GAS PIPELINES "BA SEMA PS AND DATABASE"for the project. 5- Recently "G.I. S "is being used in the local development project "LD2" for preparing a cadastre Survey of the cities and' rural areas as part of the local developmrnt plan in Egypt. This project is financed by the 'A' MERICAN AID, USAID "and the consu ltan cies is given by two companies (Ki mon ex and Wilber smith). 6- Different petroleum companies apply G.I.S. technology to produce Petro leum Pipelines "BASEMAPS AND DATABASE 7- Cairo Govern orate Information Centre is creating a Land use planning for the districts in Cairo. GREATER CAIRO REGION INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADING PROJECT By: M.G./SAYED BADR General Director of the UTILITY DATA CENTRE BOARD, CAIRO GOVERNORATE Problem Identification: Recently, the Egyptian Government considered the problem 0/providing and main Coining the primary services such as water, sewage electricity, telephone, and gas networks to the citizens, on it's top priorily' of the short and long range planes. These services are basicaly established in the underground. there/ore, they must be protected, maintained and developed. This also is reflected Upon streets digging and establishing new services in the underground. Be/ore applying the " Urban Information Systems "in maintaining the infrastructure, it is planned to establish a technical authority which has the mission of collecting, collating and automating data accurately about the underground utility. Objectives: By using this technology; " the Utility Data Center, UD. C. "aim to ache ive the following targets: - Mo more random digging in Cairo. - Helping the Planners of the Infrastructure projects or Utilities to have the accurate design and the required studies for any pr oject by providing a map illustrating the utility networks underground (like the successful exper lence in the underground Metro Project: Simoubra El- khema / Ramses ,6 October Bridge extension /Gamra /Salah Salem). - Protecting the utilities from other utilities works by supplying them with a complete data about the close by utilities. - Reducing the expenses and amount of hard currency for great projects because of the assistance of foreign companies and consultants, as UDC now Is taking this job instead of them (First stage of the underground metro). - UDC follows up any digging works in Cairo, and participate greatly in reducing damages of utilities networks. For achieving the objectives; UDC is using the most recent technology. 3- JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Case Study In the first quarrer of 1992, the Special District of Jakarta (DKI Jakarta), Indonesia, embarked on the development ofa multi-agency GIS. The project will be completed On two phases: a design phase in 199Z, and a GIS construction phase in 1993-1994 PROBLEMS : The government of DKI Jakarta has long viewed GIS as a technology that can help rhem better manage the development of this city of over 8 million people. Typical of many capital cities of developing nations, the rapid population growth that the city is experiencing is putting tremendous strain on the public and private sector to meet needs of housing, social services, transportation, and other infrastructisre. The budget of the central government is limited in its capacity to fund programs to meet the needs of the city's residents. OBJECTIVES: They look at 615 as a tool that can help them integrate the data abour the public 's needs, and the effectiveness of the delivery of infrastructure and services. A conceptual design and strategic implementation plan are being developed first as a means of guiding the development of the GIS for the city over the next several years. Ten units of the DKI Jakarta government are involved in the project, including those dealing in basemapping, cadastral Mapping, capital project planning, land and other land taxations, road and infrastructure development , and city planning. The second phase of the GIS project will involve developing the priority applications and the initial layers of 'he shared database for the city. The applications are expected to focus on database maintenance, city planning, land taxation, and database layers will be a basemap layer that will be used by all organizations for their applications and serve as the basis for spatial registration of data layers from the many units of the DK! Jakarta government. Achieving this spatial registration is a very important objective of the GIS program and is viewedas pivotal to realizing the many benefits GIS has to offer for Jakarta. 4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF TETOUAN. MOROCCO: Case Study 1- In 1992, The United Srates Agency for International Development (C/SAID) contrac ted to assist in the development of a pilot GIS project for the Municipality of Tetouan, Morocco. The main objectives of this project are to serve as an introduction of GIS technology 10 municipal governments in Morocco, to transfer GIS technology and experience to local GIS staff and to help develop a model GIS that can be used by other municipalities in Morocca. ESRI has a role to provide consulting, training, and technical support to local GIS staff in the implementation of the pilot objectives 2 - GIS is an efficient and appropriate tool with which the Municipality of Tetouan can improve its management of short-medium, and long-term urban development The pilot project is the initial phase to introduce the technology ar the local level of government in Morocco, and to evaluate the feasibility of using GIS technology, and determine lf sufficient benefits exist to warrant its use in other large urban centers throughout the country. With this system, the municipality applications, such as land registration, assessment, arid taxation, or the management of infrastructure services, will become more efficient. Thus, the pilot project will support a variety of functions. These functions inc/ride cartographic management; systematic updates for mapping data, improvenient ofphistcal and technical management of the Urban Management Project, arid improve coordination among the various implementing agencies. In addition to the municipalities, the regional utility company, cadastral services, and the National Urban Planning Research Center (CERA U) will all benefit from the introduction of this system and its eventual complete implementation. 5- OMAN: Case study: Oman is a land of mountains, shifting and dunes, and spectacular wadis (dry river beds). It Covers an area of approximately 212, 460 square kilometers, wirh 1700 kilometers of coastline that reaches from the Straits of Hormuz in the nor fin down to the Arabian Sea. Oman has one of the oldest civilizations in the Arabi Peninsula, and presently supports an estimated population of 1,5 to 2 million people. PROBLEMS: Water is a scarce resource irm Oman. The mean annual rainfall is less than 100 millimeters, of which as much as 7O percent is estimated to be lost due to evaporation. To sustain economic development and an imroi;ed living standard, great care is needed tin the water sector to evaluate, manage, and use efficiently the limited water resources avail able. In recognition of th is, the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) was created in 1989. OBJECTIVE: Under its present five-year plan (1991-1995). MWR will embark a number of major assessment programs to quantify the country's water reserves. Such programs include a national well inventory, studies to determine the location of potential water reserves, monitoring water usage, investigating potential recharge dam locations, and determining the extent of saline intrusion. Only when a better understanding Of the Country's water reserves and usage have been determined can appropriate management scenarios be devised. Problems of Applying " URBAN INFORMATION SYSTEMS " in the "OICC" member cities: Herebelow, we summarize the problems freed by the Concerned Institutions and agencies of the "OICC" m ember cities in implem en ting the "G.I. S.", Data Problems: -The most frequent technical problem of applying the G.I.S. technology is still the collection arid automation of data needed In most cases the data is lacking and isn't updated from a long time. Therefor, it is not appliecifor the probIems and objectives concerned. -Data enfry stage or the data conversion from the hard-copy or other digital source to an acceptable digital form is a slow process. Thus resu king primary cost before getting results. Also while the G.I.S. technology is relatively cheap, the cost of the data (time and money) remains high. -The conversion of the alpha-numerical and the graphic data takes hundreds of man-years, especially the conversion of the analogue maps to digital files is rather difficult. -The conversion of the data to automated data files is most underestimated. -No possibilities to exchange data between different departments because the items have diffe rent names and definitions, and the municipality has multiple storage Systems in non Co-operated framework. -Its usual to find neither the Central Government nor tire local authorities have integrated documents of what lands they own and therefor they can 't properly manage their own basic resources. -The informal sector is an active power, which We can't ignore in the database of any project lay under their power such as, URBAN GROWTH, LAND REGISTRA may LAND TAXATION, and INCOME GRO UPS census. Of course, this is very dtfficult, because of their undocumented data. -The success of the GIS OT any other *Urban information Systems" depends on the efficiency of the "Inf ormation Centers" and the results related to the input data, which is normally needed to be adopted for years in come countries before using it in a "G.I. S" project to obtain satisfactory results. -Although the CADASTRAL INFORMA HON is public information, the automation gives much more possibilities to present information that also protection and security of the data should be taken in consideration. -It is a fact that the data used in "G.I.S "are derived from many different sources; both analogue and digitaL But the primary source is still undo ubtedly the hardcopy map. In the most of the Islamic countries, the updated maps either of the land uses or the Infrastructure are not available in a, satisfactory, confidential manner. Trained staff: -No one can deny that the skilled staff will probably be the greatest limitation on system use in rhe next decade, thus affect the cost and time Consuming. -The final and most significant GIS element is the liveware, the people responsible for designing, implementing and using GIS. Without properly trained personnel with the vision and commitment to a project little will be achieved. -In the Organisations, where "G.I.S. "is being applied. the technical design and type of G.I.S. is not always appreciated by officials preocc up ied with more pressing issues. -The limited acceptance and effective use of G.I.S. by various government organisations is affected by the difficulty of training and keeping technical personnel and the fear of organizational change in addition to the limited documentation of the successful implementations. -The lack of adequately trained personnel has been highlighted on a number of occasions and although a number of education and training initiatives have been undertaken much remains to be done before the skill shortage is alleviated. The significance of the people involved in GIS is, regrettably, all too often overlooked by those with a more technological focus. -Its usual for the trained staff in the Islam ic developing countries to leave their hom e-country searching for more salary in the more developed countr ies, after a certain period of project experiences. Perception and understanding of technology: -The vast majority ofpeople who usefully apply GIS technology still know little or nothing about it. it's usefulness is still not being heard of in the less developing countries where the technolog IS most needed -The social agencies don't accept this technology to be applied in the human sense problems, thus limiting its widespread Affordability: - The technolog is 1101 considered to be a problem. That means the affordability of installing GIS system is being possible either by a "FOREIGN AID", or by the Government budget PUBLIC FUND. - G.I. S investment is strongly indicated but takes time to mature. - Because of the " G.I.S. " high cost to install the software and to prepare the efficient hardware systems ir's implementation is limited by the governmental agencies and it's related departments. Management: The manage ment issue is considered one of the primary problems in applying the "U.I. S." because of it's multilevels, that apeare as follow : - The gap between the practical application and the theoretical lessons. - Some seniors don't understand the impact of the geographic information on the government programs. In spite of the fact that some seniors are proficient tlreoreticaily. they are not at the same footing in practical app lication. - The coordination between the concerned organisations or departments and the G. I.S staff should be maintained before beginning the project for saving time and money, but normally the data needed du ring the project are more complicated to be gathered due to the prevailing routine in the developing countries. -The age group of the decision-makers lack training in G.I.S planning. Commercial Sectors: It is a problem to deliver G.I.S technology to those who need it Most in the developing countries because of the difficulty in transferring this technology to users who lack of educational basis related to the lower level of the G.I. S. technology. -The intention of the " G.I.S. " vendors is "How to sell more "as a result of the competition to support their softwares and they proved a weak capability to give the customer efficient consultancies of the problems. concerning the programs or the projects. Implementation fears: -In most developing countries, it is frustrating to G.I.S proffessionals to deliver G.I.S. technology and see it misused, or abondoned by the users because of having nothing to do with the technology itself before the "GI S "installation. Evaluation the Process: -The research centers didn't evaluate the applications to be developed to face the country needs due to its economic development strategy. Organization of Islamic Conference Information Network "01CIS-NET" and its Role in linking the Geographic Information Systems in the Islamic Countries: Due to the fact that the governments of the Islamic countries believe in the importance of setting up and linking the information centres, they do their best to ensure fill integration of information in all economic, technological, cultural and industrial fields as afirst step toward the Integration of the "Geographic Information Systems". In this connection, the Islamic Development Bank (I.D.B), in co-ordination with the respective Islamic member countries set up the "OICIS-NET". As afollow-rup of the Makkah 'Saudi Arabia" Declaration (January 1981), as well as the Fifth Islamic Summit Meeting held in Kuwait. (January 1987), the Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank has taken a decision regarding the undertaking of a feasibility study for establishing the network The project covering a tremendous geographical area of the Islamic countries. The economic development of these countries covers and equally diverse span and, for this reason, the information requirements will vary enormously among individual states Iris reasonable to assume that the information needs of army country will be directly related to the state of development of that country. Objectives One of the key objectives of the proposed (OICISENT) is to enable information services to contribute to the social and economic development of the Islamic countries. The essential ingredient of such a network is information. Each country will have particular areas of interest allied to their economy and individual institutions within each country will have specific information needs dependent on their spec ialisation. S.everal networks exist within the OIC member states and around the world which could provide useful information to the network user comm unity. It will, therefore, be necessary that these networks are accessible through the OIC network In performing this task, the OIC Network will be adding value to other networks by acting as either a host for their information or as a gateway through which they' can be accessed. The creation of any system must reflect a need or ambition, in the case of the OIC network both of these are present, a need because a great deal of information is available from within member states that can benefit others and themselves and an ambition because of this resource can be used to stimulate development and economic growth. In simple terms the key objectives may be stated as follows: 1- Promote exchange of available information in the islamic countries through their specialist organization, mechanism for collecting the data and define systematical programmes for standardising and processing the statistical data. 2- Promote standards for the storage and processing of information. 3- to contribute to the integrated soc io-economic arid technological development through improved sharing of info rma lion resources and flow, exchange and rise of information among the islamic countries and their institutions. 4 - Development of a secure coin munications infrastructure to support the activities of the network and to establish a network which in the me dium to longer term can become financially self sufficient. Implementation Strategy and Plan The implemen ration strategy for the Pilot-scale network covering & countries is based on the following: 1- Select corun fries which already have basic information infrastructrure. 2- within each country, select an institutition which meets the minimum requirements (offices, staff teckno logy, and expertise in Urban Information Systems) for collection, processing and dissemination of information 3- Based on evaluation of the Pilot-Scale network revise a MasterPlan will be done to expand the network programme to the second group of countries which are potentially capable of joining the network. PRESENTATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME: The Implenmentation Programme for OIC Information Systems Network covering all member countries will require 15 years and will be implemented in three phases in addition to the Pilot-Scheme. The following will be accomplished: 1- Establishment of one Central Co-ordinating Agency (CCA) at IDB. 2- Establishment of a Natiorial Focal Centre in each of the Islamic countries with capability for one-line access with the CCA located at IDB/IRTI. 3- Establishment of about Seven Regional Focal Centres covering different regions- 4- Establishment of about 15 Centres at OIC institutions covering different sectors according to rheir specialisation. 5- Establishment of connection with about 5 NationalNodes in each country. Therefore, the total number of nodes will be: 1 CCA + 45 National Focal Centres + 7 Regional Focal Centres + 15 Centres at OIC institutions + 225 National Nodes = 293. Expected Benefits Through OICIS-NET, its users will have access to databases in different fields. Each field will include different types of databases such as statistical information, bibliographical information, directories of institutions, abstracts of scientific articles... etc. Here below examples of the benefits that can be derived by the Islamic countries of such a network and its services: 1- Generally, enables the users from member countries to keep abreast of the global developments in all fields of knowledge. 2- Facilitates transfer of technology and know-how. 3- Stimulates development of information systems and networks at national regional and sub -regional and local levels. 4- Improves co-operation and co-ordination and minimizes duplication in the field of research programmes. 5- Gives access to information which effect directly to the sustainability development 6- Promotes active inter-country arid counter-trade by making available timely arid appropriate information. "OICC" ROLE IN THE "OICIS-INFORMATION NETWORK" : The OICC objectives: - Strengthen the bonds of friendsh ip, brotherhood and solidarity among the Members. - Promote and develop cooperation among the Members and expand it's scope. - reserve the identity and heritage of the Members. - Seek implementing comprehensive ordinances and urban plans to guide the growth of the Members in accordance with their actual economic, social, cultural, and environmental facts. - Upgrade the standards of the public services and utilities In the Members. Believing in the "OICC "objectives arid as the OICC role in the "OICIS-NET "as a Nodal Point, OICC will participate in the following actions for achteving tile network aims in addition to it's own objectives. "0ICC" ROLE: - Provide storage for central information, references and extracts of distributed information: - Enhance communications between information sources and promote the cross -fer tilisation of ideas. - Organise and provide training in the use of information and a methodology for the most effective utilisation of network facilities. - Generate updates for network institutions when the central information is being amended. -Act as an agent in receipt and distribution of information. - Operate communication referrals on a national and inrernational basis. - Evaluate the experiences of the Islamic member cities in the "Urban Information Systems". "OICC" as a nodal poin ts, in addition to applying operational procedures, will provide the capability of certain resource provision in support of their function. These will include the ability to co-ordinate and prepare : - Selective dissemination of information. - The identification of the specific information needs of users and the capability to respond to enquiries either direct or by referral. - Technology updates and feasibility reports for planners, decision and policy-makers including the "Urban Information Systems ". - Directories of on-going research activities. - Bibliographies on selected research subjects. - Microforms, microfiches and pho tocopies of documents. - Dissemination of publications to all potential users and professional organ isations within the country - Publicise the availability of information services. The requirements above will be of little merit without the means to communicate on a domestic and international basis. Information searches are commonly investigated with some degree of urgency attached to them. The value of the OICC as a Nodal Point will, therefor be en/lanced if the capability exists to receive requests and transfer the information by electronic means. So that, the "GEOGRAPHIC INFORMA TION SYSTEMS" and preparing a data base for the project is of great priority. CONCLUSION Beleiving in the vitality of Implementing and developing the Geographic Information Systems technology as a basic tool for rushing the economic development in the OICC member cities on their various developing rates, we would recommend the central governments to integrate this technology in their technical support Systems. The GIS could have been a massive proliferation of information about many aspects of the cultural and natural environment. Also remote sensing satellites, population and market surveys, topographic surveys, transac tion loggers arid the like are now being widely used to collect vast quantities of data in computer format. Many of these data have some type of explicit or implicit geographical reference associated with them. OICC can recommend the following: - Data and Maps should be updated in all the technical levels which related to the project and a legal cadastre should have up to-date information. - For achieving the success of G.I.S. applications in the islamic countries, participation of all sectoral resource agencies in DATABASE networking, and a bureaucracy conductive to the changes resulting from G.I. S. technology should be supported. - It is essential to support a national standard topographic BASEMAPS to prepare the national G.I.S. DATABASE. - Training arid edu cation should be made available important, for the people responsible for designing: implementing and using G.I. S. or other "U.I.S.", to ensure smooth transfer of technology in the Islamic Countries. - More "financial Aid" for the less deve loping Islamic countries ro install such systems should be made available. - A satisfaciory preseniation of the "U.I.S. capabilities and its role in the urban issues and economic development should be introduced. - Developing and linking the "Information Centres " should be given a highest priority to provide the "OIClS-NET" and the "U.I. S "centres with the data required . - The role of the "OICC" and the "OICIS-NET" can be effectively linking and integrating the "U.I. S." in Islamic Countries, if the estimated planes have been developed using the most developed technolgy in that field. - Priorities can be given to the evaluation of the G.I.S. projects and it's effect in the economic development plans. - An effective cost-analysis of the different possible techniques should be done - A leader agency at a national level shonuld be essentialy established to ensure compatability in System developments. Bibliography 1- J. Macuire, David ; F Goodchild, Michael and W.Rhind, David Geo graphical Information Systems. Principles and applications. First Edition. 1991 2-Hans Wapenaar Workshop in Land Managem ent and land In formation Systems Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Rotterdam February 1991. 3 M.G./SAYED BADR general director of rhe Utility: Data Center Board, Cairo Governorate, TECHNOLOGY IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION paper. 1992 4-. Abdel Qader Hamza Koshak The secretary General of "OICC", ORGANIZATION 0F ISLAMIC CAPITALS AND CITIES in ten years booklet 1980-1990. 5- "OIC Information Systems Network Feasibility Study Report and a plan for Implementation I. R. T.I. Information Center, 1991, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 6- Amr Ali El-sabban , Land Accessible for the Urban Poor in Greater Cairo Region, Land Management Approach using G.I S Project Work Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Rotterdam, June, 1991. 7- Environments Systems Research Institute "ESRI" Arc Ne Fail 1991 and Summer 1992 Section II 8- Environments Systems Research Institute " ESRI:, Arc/ Info Maps 1991. - Zul Jiwani, Report submitted to the "OICC", the Centre of G.I.S., State of Qatar. | Abstract Of The Paper & The Profile of The Speaker | Speaker Index | Paper Title Index | CGIS HOME PAGE CONTENTS