GeoMOLG - baladiyat.ps

1 November 2014 GeoMOLGThe Integrated Spatial Information System of the Ministry of Local GovernmentMinistry of Local GovernmentIn partnership with Local Governance and Civil Society Programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZThe Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) is the regulatory body of the Palestinian Local Government Sector. It regulates, guides, and supervises the financial, administrative, and technical works of local government units (LGUs). Moreover, it is the responsible body for regulating spatial planning at the local level, and issuing construction permits (through its regional offices) in small communities where LGUs don t possess the capacity for such a task, as well as, in areas located beyond municipal boundaries. Such responsibilities require proper and accurate provision of spatial information. It also GeoMOLG The InTe GraTed SpaTIaL InfOrMaTIOn SySTeM Of The MInISTry Of LOcaL GOvernMenT1requires modern and responsive solutions that would enable officials to perform their work in an efficient and effective way apart from the bureaucratic old manual procedures.

2 Thus, the need to have a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS), which is built on cutting-edge technologies, has emerged and became a necessity. Therefore, and in partnership with GIZ - Local Governance and civil Society development program (LGp), MOLG has developed and operated the first integrated spatial information system in Palestine ( GeoMOLG ). 1 IntroductionThe key benefits of GeoMOLG can be summarized in terms of reduction of time, cost, and efforts in responding to stakeholders inquiries relevant to spatial data on one hand, and in processing applications that require initial spatial data input, on the other hand. Some primary numbers reveals that 400,000 nIS and 1,800 work days have been saved per year at the level of MOLG departments and its eleven regional offices across the West Bank. Such benefits are demonstrated by the following: field visits are reduced as a result of the availability of an aerial photo of 25cm resolution in the system that provides very rich visual interpretation for the reality.

3 For example, in hebron regional Office, field visits dropped from 15 to 4 per week. Efforts are decreased in reaching spatial data due to all spatial data is available in digital format instead of hard is minimized in providing\obtaining spatial data due to serving requests through friendly and very powerful , and for the first time in the country, key institutions and line ministries are able to share among themselves up-to-date spatial information as it happens in 2the real-time. Such a development allows stakeholders to view the spatial information as produced by its source agency. for example, all spatial information related to Urban Master plans (UMps) is being produced by MOLG and viewed by all stakeholders connected to the system. The same applies to spatial information produced by institutions such as Ministry of agriculture, Land authority, LGUs, and others. Thus, data improbability has been realized in an effective manner, which allows the realization of the E-Government vision.

4 GeoMOLG The InTe GraTed SpaTIaL InfOrMaTIOn SySTeM Of The MInISTry Of LOcaL GOvernMenT2 Key Benefits of GeoMOLG3developing a GIS based system is not the first attempt of its kind either at the local or at the national level. However, GeoMOLG is considered distinct due to the following facts: GeoMOLG is the most comprehensive GIS 1. based system at the national scale where major amounts of the national spatial data are made is featured by the most powerful 2. web mapping application (Geocortex). The application starts with a browser and, thus, no sophisticated expertise is required to get familiar with its functionalities and following are the key factors for the design of GeoMOLG :The system should contain all spatial data 1. needs of MOLG departments and regional offices, as well as, data needs of system could be accessed through 2. intranet and/or internet using web browsing and, thus, there is no need to deploy any other specific applications at the end user system must be user-friendly and, 3.

5 Thus, end users don t need to be IT or GIS experts to get familiar with system should contain the most 4. accurate and updated data. Updates can be performed via web mapping application for simple data while the more complex data can be edited through desktop system must be able to connect to 5. other systems and multiple data Key Considerations of the GeoMOLG Design3 What Makes the GeoMOLG Distinct? GeoMOLG The InTe GraTed SpaTIaL InfOrMaTIOn SySTeM Of The MInISTry Of LOcaL GOvernMenTGeoMOLG database is built on Microsoft 3. SQL Server, and enabled with the arcSde technology which allows simultaneous multi-editing either with the desktop or the web is entirely developed in-house 4. to invest in available staff, thus, ensuring high level of sustainability of the is the nucleus for an integrated 5. spatial information system for Palestine that takes care of all spatial data streamed from multiple official channels where this data is edited, validated, and maintained by its owner and following methodology has been applied to develop GeoMOLG as an integrated spatial information system that responds precisely to the business requirements of MOLG and Business Requirement IdentificationThis has included proper identification of tasks, functions, and tools that the system would serve and handle.

6 For example, obtaining spatial information related to a particular parcel includes development regulations, offsets, licensing fees, and other information in accordance with land uses specified in Urban Master plans (UMps). Data CollectionBased on the identified functionality of the system, relevant data has been made available either through direct connection with the source of the data or through in-house digitization of this data. 5 Methodology of Developing Spatial Data Availability through GeoMOLGGeoMOLG includes and provides, but not limited to, the following set of spatial data:Urban Masters plans (UMps) :1. approved UMps in areas (a) and (B)i. UMPs in objection phase in Areas (A) ii. and (B)approved UMps in area (c)iii. UMPs in objection phase in Area (C) iv. detailed UMpsv. Partial UMPs (developed at the era of vi. Israeli occupation before 1992)expansions of UMpsvii. Modifications on UMPsviii.

7 Modification of an existing land use a. and/or road within the boundary of UMpsDetailing a particular area within the b. boundary of UMps such as proposing new roads and/or land usecadastral plans (blocks and parcels): to 2. identify the ownership classification of the West Bank in 3. accordance to Oslo accords: Boarders of areas (a), (B), and (c)Land classification maps according to the 4. agricultural value (high, medium, low)Biodiversity areas5. natural reserve areas6. 4 GeoMOLG The InTe GraTed SpaTIaL InfOrMaTIOn SySTeM Of The MInISTry Of LOcaL GOvernMenTLandscapes areas7. archeological sites8. Streams and rivers9. contours10. State lands (registered, announced, 11. surveyed)Communities (Attributes: population, LGU 12. classification, services, UMP status, etc.)Facilities and services locations13. Administrative boundaries of local 14. communitiesAdministrative boundaries of governorates15. 5 Updated Orthophoto (2014) with a spatial 16.

8 Resolution (pixel size) of 25 cm and a spatial accuracy (locational error) of 50 Why Spatial Data Matters on the Local Context of Palestine?The following table clarifies some of the decisions that are taken in light of spatial data provided. This table is intended to demonstrate how critical the consequences of decisions that are built on the basis of the available DataImplications for Decision MakingUrban Master plans (UMps)UMPs set the regulations for the development of lands. Thus, having all UMps from its source through GeoMOLG , provide a comprehensive and integrated set of land-use regulations such as development percentages, offsets, licensing fees, and others for any land parcel across the country. Political classification of the West Bank: Areas A, B, cThe political classification of the West Bank land in accordance to Oslo has the following implications on decisions related to service delivery as follows:1.

9 Construction permits: in Areas (A) and (B), are issued by the Palestinians, but in Area (C) are issued by the other Utilities: In areas (a) and (B), water, electricity, and sewerage services are provided by the Palestinians against verifying the permit of construction for the building in questionIn Area (C) such services are provided by Palestinians against commitment from the owner to follow the Palestinian , providing the exact borders of these a, B, c areas through GeoMOLG would contribute to the resilience of people residing in area c and would improve service delivery level. GeoMOLG The InTe GraTed SpaTIaL InfOrMaTIOn SySTeM Of The MInISTry Of LOcaL GOvernMenTAgricultural ClassificationProviding such a comprehensive up to date information through GeoMOLG would regulate the development in the country since: Construction is not permitted in areas of high agricultural value. Construction is subject to the decisions of the prospective committees regarding areas of medium agricultural valueConstruction is allowed in areas classified as low agricultural value.

10 Cadaster Maps (Blocks and parcels)It provides all relevant information of land parcels such as its surface area and location in an up-to-date reserveConstruction is not allowed in all areas classified as natural reservedBiodiversityConstruction is not allowed in all areas classified as biodiversityarcheological areasConstruction is not allowed in all areas that have archeological sitesvalleysConstruction is not allowed within a specific buffer (stated in the law) for the edges of valleysaerial photosAerial Photos provide very rich visual context for spatial data on the ground. Some benefits are:Lands located outside the UMps are allowed to have one building only whereas several constructions are not allowed. When applying for a construction permit in these lands, it can be assured through the aerial photo the current situation of these lands and thus no permit is issued in case there was an existing building or construction on and mistakes can be detected in other layers particularly the land classification according to agricultural value.