Abu Dhabi, UAE. In line with its goal to build spatial data capabilities and raise knowledge levels of Geographic information Systems (GIS) in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) organized an awareness workshop on Geospatial Analysis of Big Data and key Spatial Data trends for 71 employees across more than 25 entities, on November 15.
The workshop was in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Abu Dhabi e-Government and aimed to raise geospatial awareness, build human capacities in government entities and present the latest on geospatial systems.
The session included a detailed presentation on the theoretical and practical background and various aspects of big data, in addition to special presentations on key case studies, best international practices and the most important sources regarding Big Data and how they relate to ADSIC’s Abu Dhabi Spatial Data Infrastructure (AD-SDI).
Moreover, the workshop included analysis and open discussions of international products and globally implemented projects and their capacity in government business sectors and across a number of vital sectors, such as oil and gas, transportation, telecommunications, and agriculture, amongst others.
Keeping with the spatial data infrastructure (SDI) programme framework and under the umbrella of a mutual cooperation agreement with Esri; the international corporation specialized in GIS, ADSIC invited Mr. Mansour Raad, from Esri, to host the workshop.
“The workshop has enabled us to exchange ideas and discuss big data challenges and opportunities with our strategic partners from other government entities and how to make best of them in light of the AD-SDI Programme and its supporting technologies through GIS,” said Ms. Khawla Al Fahim, Executive Manager – Spatial Data Centre at ADSIC.
Al Fahim added: “Spatial data has become a key element in providing the latest and most accurate geographic information and government services supported by accessible, effective and reliable spatial data. ADSIC is committed to raising awareness levels and constantly evaluating them to suit the requirements of our government partners.”
Notably, the workshop addressed the outputs of activities related to the analysis of transportation data through taxis in the emirate, which has already been implemented in cooperation with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transportation.
To achieve optimum benefit from the joint activity with Esri, ADSIC coordinated with several government entities on the sidelines of the workshop to host technical meetings with experts to develop action plans to transfer gained knowledge through the implementation of work modules with the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the National Petroleum Construction Company and the Zakum Development Company (ZADCO) model.
The AD-SDI Programme was launched within the framework of Abu Dhabi’s e-transformation efforts in 2007 to provide Abu Dhabi’s government and people with efficient modern, flexible and dynamic geospatial data. Since then, the program has grown in prominence by improving services and providing innovated reliable solutions and has witnessed significant growth from 8 entities to more than 70 in 2016.
The programme also plays a key role in improving operational and practical features of government entities through several areas such as situation analysis and influence, business decisions, emergency response, transportation security and safety, assessing demographic trends and community planning, resource management and others.
