Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council unveils two new GIS initiatives

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council today unveiled two important new Geographical Information Systems (GIS) initiatives. The first, GeoPlanner Version 2, is an updated addition of the Council’s hugely successful GeoPlanner technology while the second, GeoPad, comprises state-of-the-art planning software especially for use on the iPad. Both initiatives once again prove the UPC’s commitment to employing the latest, ground-breaking technology to facilitate the urban planning process in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The launch of these latest technologies coincides with World GIS Day, the international forum that sees users of GIS technology around the world demonstrate how real-world applications are making a difference to society. 

GIS technology is a highly valuable component in all of the UPC’s business activities and, aligned with the guiding principles of Vision 2030, it is vital in helping the Council’s planners define the shape of the Emirate. The clear goal of GIS is to inform the decision-making process by integrating data from an array of different sources and visualising the whole planning process. These latest GIS technologies and capabilities are being shared with the UPC team today, through a series of demonstrations and interactive workshops. 

Commenting on the launch, Eng. Amer Al Hammadi, Director of Planning and Infrastructure at the UPC explains: “The UPC regards GIS technologies as an essential element of the planning process and we therefore continue to drive forward in ensuring that we have the latest capabilities and tools at our finger tips. These latest initiatives take our GIS abilities to a new level and they will be of benefit not only to our internal team here at the UPC but to all our key stakeholders as well.” 

GeoPlanner is an internal web portal, developed by the UPC’s Spatial Data Department, that enables the Council’s planners to easily identify masterplans, planning policies and regulations for any location or area and to visually track the development proposal review and approval process. Used throughout the UPC’s planning departments, including Planning Policy, Development Review, Estidama and Corporate Communications, it is the most popular planning support development tool at the UPC. The latest version, GeoPlanner 2, comprises a number of value-added components that facilitate planning needs  and the lively and attractive new interface brings a higher performance rating. 

The just-launched iPad app, GeoPad, has been developed by the UPC’s Spatial Data Department to allow managers and planners to easily view projects, plans and maps on their iPad device. Through online synchronisation with the UPC’s spatial database, the app allows users to access such updated data from anywhere and at anytime. 

The UPC’s strong GIS capabilities continue to win praise. Just last month they received one of the highest possible ratings in the “2010 Abu Dhabi Stakeholder GeoMaturity Assessment” reported by the Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC) from the Executive Council while last year, at the GISWORX fifth annual conference - they received  the “2010 Excellence in GIS Award.” 

GIS Day is a worldwide event that takes place every year. More than 80 countries are participating this year through events such as corporate open houses, hands-on workshops, community exhibitions and school assemblies, all with them the aim to raise awareness about technology and its important role in helping governments and communities to better understand the world around us.