REFERENCE MAP AND URBAN FACILITIES
A functioning
GIS system was a long felt need of the Colombo Municipal Council. The operational and planning activities of
each department in the municipality require the manipulation of substantial
amount of spatial and non-spatial data for analysis to ensure an efficient
service delivery and a better decision-making process.
The fully
equipped GIS unit facilitated in the Colombo Municipal Council through the
Asia-Urbs programme of the European Commission is
presently fulfilling this requirement.
The benefits extended under the programme were not limited to the
provision of hard ware and software.
Collection, development of the data and personal training in view of
continuous operation of the system have also given due consideration.
The information
system developed consists of spatial and non-spatial data within the
geographical limits of the municipal area.
Municipal infrastructure, streets, administrative boundaries, water
bodies, demographic & census data, health, sanitation related data and
underserved settlements were the key information which have been identified
under the project agreement and recorded in the data base.
The
beneficiaries of the information system developed are the data providers and users
who were identified as different divisions, departments of the municipality,
other stake holding agencies and the citizens.
Further the multimedia tool developed by the programme addresses the
need of having such database as a communication tool, which expands the
municipal service delivery.
The reference
map developed provides the base for all other thematic layers in the
database. In addition to the various analysis that can be performed by overlaying various
thematic layers in the database, for decision-making, the street and address
database enhance the multi disciplinary use of the database through
geo-coding.
The continuation
of the functioning information system has been fully ensured by the Colombo
Municipal Council through its commitment.
Updating of the present database and developing the database for the
other municipal service areas have been identified as the next immediate
functions of the GIS unit. Further the
methodologies have been developed for dissemination of information to users on
request. The expansion of the access to
all user divisions and departments in the municipality for analyzing for
decision-making is currently investigating.
Superintending
Engineer (Design)
Drainage Section