Modelling the potential of rainwater harvesting in western Kenya using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Water scarcity is among the many problems faced today by many countries in the world, especially African countries. The Kakamega area in western Kenya is known for plenty of rainfall (around 2000 mm annually), however, rainwater harvesting (RHW) from roofs is not yet a common practice in the region. In this study, we determined the potential of RWH as an alternative or preferred source of safe water for domestic use. Spatial modelling techniques using amount of rainfall, census data and detailed information available from the classification of very high resolution QuickBird satellite imagery as input data were applied to implement various approaches. Four conceptual models were developed at three different levels of detail: the Kakamega-Nandi forests area (3900 km²), the QuickBird imagery covered area (473 km² of farmland) and Buyangu village (1.9 km²). The four models were implemented in ArcGIS ModelBuilder and reveal the potential of such spatially explicit simulations to guide planners and to demonstrate the benefits of RWH to the local people. In the Kakamega-Nandi forests area, it rains enough to meet the annual water demand of 7300 l per person almost throughout the entire area

The Economic Value of Remote Sensing of Earth Resources from Space: An ERTS Overview and the Value of Continuity of Service. Volume 1: Summary

An overview of the ERTS program is given to determine the magnitude of the benefits that can be reasonably expected to flow from an Earth Resources Survey (ERS) Program, and to assess the benefits foregone in the event of a one or two-year gap in ERS services. An independent evaluation of the benefits attributable to ERS-derived information in key application areas is presented. These include two case studies in agriculture-distribution, production and import/export, and one study in water management. The cost-effectiveness of satellites in an ERS system is studied by means of a land cover case study. The annual benefits achieveable from an ERS system are measured by the in-depth case studies to be in the range of $430 to$746 million. Benefits foregone in the event of a one-year gap in ERS service are estimated to be $147 to$220 million and $274 to$420 million for a two-year gap in ERS service

Technology requirements for communication satellites in the 1980's

The key technology requirements are defined for meeting the forecasted demands for communication satellite services in the 1985 to 1995 time frame. Evaluation is made of needs for services and technical and functional requirements for providing services. The future growth capabilities of the terrestrial telephone network, cable television, and satellite networks are forecasted. The impact of spacecraft technology and booster performance and costs upon communication satellite costs are analyzed. Systems analysis techniques are used to determine functional requirements and the sensitivities of technology improvements for reducing the costs of meeting requirements. Recommended development plans and funding levels are presented, as well as the possible cost saving for communications satellites in the post 1985 era

Policies, Legislation and Organizations Related to Water in South Africa, with Special Reference to the Olifants River Basin

water resources management / river basins / water use / organizations / institutions / mapping / government / political aspects / ethnology / social status / water policy / water law / land tenure / water supply /sanitation / water users / land use / conflict / private sector / nongovernmental organizations / local government / water user associations / catchment areas / monitoring / South Africa / Olifants river basin / Steelpoort river basin

Large communications platforms versus smaller satellites

Communications systems using large platforms are compared with systems using conventional satellites. Systems models were generated and compared for U.S. domestic application and for 1 INTELSAT's international and domestic transponder lease application. Technology advances were assumed the platforms and the evolution of conventional satellites

Useful applications of earth-oriented satellites - Point-to-point communications

Existing and future developments for worldwide commercial or common carrier point to point communication satellite system

Requirements of a global information system for corn production and distribution

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Survey of users of earth resources remote sensing data

A user survey was conducted to determine current earth resources survey (ERS) data use/user status and recommendations for strengthening use. Only high-altitude aircraft and satellite (primarily LANDSAT) data were included. Emphasis was placed on the private sector/industrial user. Objectives of the survey included: who is using ERS data, how they are using the data, the relative value of current data use as well as obtaining user views as to possible ways of strengthening future ERS data use. The survey results are documented and should provide relevant decision making information for developing future programs of maximum benefit to all end users of satellite ERS data

Current screens

The architecture of screen design, including LCD, LED and DLP projection, is analysed in terms of the political economy and their aesthetics and phenomenological impacts, in association with the use of codecs as constraining as well as enabling tools in the control and management of visual data transmission

Regionalizing telecommunications reform in West Africa

In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition that significant welfare gains could be realized through deep forms of regional integration which entail harmonization of legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks. Reforms that reduce cross-border transaction costs and improve the performance of “backbone” infrastructure services are arguably even more important for the creation of an open, unified regional economic space than trade policy reforms narrowly defined. This paper assesses the potential gains from regionalized telecommunications policy in West Africa. To this end, the paper: (i) discusses how regional cooperation can overcome national limits in technical expertise, enhance the capacity of nations credibly to commit to stable regulatory policy, and ultimately facilitate infrastructure investment in the region; (ii) identifies trade-distorting regulations that inhibit opportunities for regional trade and economic development, and so are good candidates for regional trade negotiations to reduce indirect trade barriers; and (iii) describes substantive elements of a harmonized regional regulatory policy that can deliver immediate performance benefits.E-Business,Environmental Economics&Policies,ICT Policy and Strategies,Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Emerging Markets