1,530 research outputs found
National Spatial Data Infrastructure Building Blocks: The Status Quo in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, geospatial data silos are common due to the absence of a proactive and collaborative geospatial sharing platform. A national sharing platform, Ethiopian National Spatial Data Infrastructure (ENSDI), is in its pre-implementation phase. It is now of crucial concern to identify and prioritize areas of investment. However, we lack information on what is already available and where, and what is still required to deliver ENSDI building blocks. The purpose of this work is to assess status quo of these building blocks. 110 organizations were addressed based on a sampling procedure that is free of personal bias. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, on-site inspections, and a review of secondary sources. The analysis revealed that many national geospatial information and other enabling policies, laws and strategies are already available. Although they do incorporate the value of sharing and accessing information, it appears that they lack details regarding interoperability, inclusiveness, and implementation. This work reveals complex institutional challenges that require better definitions of roles and responsibilities in order to overcome existing overlaps of mandates; and improved coordination of efforts with the geospatial industry. Furthermore, most legacy data sets are available in digital form, but they are neither ready to be shared on the Web nor accessible for the wider Geographic Information Systems (GIS) community. This is largely due to the absence of standardization, negligence of metadata, extended use of proprietary software, absence of clear data models and definitions, and poor (file based) data organization. The absence of Internet connectivity or low band width remains a fundamental obstacle for any web-based sharing of geospatial data. We also identify a lack of expertise in spatial data management, processing and programming. GIS and Remote Sensing specialist remain hard to find. Last but not least, this study recommends further study on data quality and data management issues
The Implementation and Education of Geographic Information Systems in a Local Government for Municipal Planning: A Case Study of Dangriga, Belize
Implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in a developing country can improve spatial planning and decision-making. Utilizing a Participatory GIS framework of maximizing community empowerment and limiting marginalization, this thesis research explores the barriers associated with implementing GIS in Dangriga, Belize and how to overcome those barriers. The research included the identification of local needs that could benefit from the use of GIS, the collection of local data through group and individual data collections, and the utilization of locally collected data to conduct GIS training sessions. It was learned that Dangriga faces many barriers found in other developing countries: institutional inertia, resource and technical availabilities, and a lack of trained personnel. Through the collection of local data and training sessions utilizing the data, the barriers of implementing GIS in Dangriga can be minimized
Exploring long-term electrification pathway dynamics: a case study of Ethiopia
The Open Source Spatial Electrification Tool (OnSSET) is extended to provide a long-term geospatial electrification analysis of Ethiopia, focusing on the role of grid- and off-grid technologies to increase residential electricity access under different scenarios. Furthermore, the model explores issues of compatibility between the electricity supply technologies over time. Six potential scenarios towards universal access to electricity in the country are examined based on three pathways; the Ambition pathway sees high demand growth and universal access achieved by 2025, the Slow Down pathway follows a lower demand growth with a slower electrification rate and with a higher share of off-grid technologies, and the Big Business pathway prioritizes grid electricity first for the industrial sector, leading to slower residential electrification. The results show a large focus on grid extension and stand-alone PV deployment for least-cost electrification in case of low grid-generation costs and uninhibited grid expansion. However, in case of a slower grid rollout rate and high demand growth, a more dynamic evolution of the supply system is seen, where mini-grids play an important role in transitional electrification. Similarly, in the case where grid electricity generation comes at a higher cost, mini-grids prove to be cost-competitive with the centralized grid in many areas. Finally, we also show that transitional mini-grids, which are later incorporated into the centralized grid, risk increasing the investments significantly during the periods when these are integrated and mini-grid standards are not successfully implemented. In all cases, existing barriers to decentralized technologies must be removed to ensure off-grid technologies are deployed and potentially integrated with the centralized grid as needed
Geospatial Data for Sustainable Development in Mozambique: Challenges on Spatial Data Infrastructure Development & Ecosystem Service Integration in Decision Making
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Information Management, specialization in Geographic Information SystemsThe Agenda 2030 challenges the countries to use and produce new spatial data to support the
path to Sustainable Development (SD). This requires development and adoption of Spatial Data
Infrastructure (SDI), and the production of new relevant spatial data to support implementation,
monitoring and reporting the progress on the targets on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The importance of access to spatial data for development and resource management is widely
acknowledged worldwide. Unrestricted, reliable and efficient access to accurate, timely, and upto-
date spatial data may be achieved through a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). Thus, most
developed countries implemented and continue to develop their SDI. The Ecosystem Service
(ES) is also crucially for SD and the concept needs to be expressed and communicated effectively
to be successfully integrated into decision making. This study assessed the challenges and
opportunities on SDI development and analyzed the documents relevant to LUP process and
implementation. On the SDI, we identified and characterized through a survey the government
institutions producing, sharing, and using spatial data in the country to estimate their potential
contribution to the development of the Mozambican SDI. On the integration of ES into LUP, we
conducted a review of relevant documents to Mozambique’s spatial planning by performing a
content analysis based on ES categories. Based on the possible contribution of the institutions
producing and using spatial data, we proposed an SDI for Mozambique based on four pillars: i)
organizational framework; ii) legal framework; iii) technical framework; and iv) accessibility. The
periodical revision of tools and participatory approaches in LUP opens opportunities for
integrating ES into LUP processes. This integration could be achieved by establishing a SEA legal
framework based on LUP and Environment legal frameworks assisted by a set of common
planning tools that consider ES as an additional indicator applied to spatial planning in
Mozambique
Environmental Evaluation and Global Development Institutions
Evaluation is increasingly important for finding sustainable solutions for the people and the planet, based on a systematic analysis of what works, for whom, and under what circumstances, and to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as they pertain to the environment. This book explores why the Global Environment Facility (GEF) invests in evaluation for accountability and learning to inform its decision-making on programming priorities, and how this leads to wiser funding decisions and better program performance on the ground. The book is based on real-life experiences of how to make evaluation count for international environmental action. Drawing upon comprehensive evaluations of the GEF, it provides unique insights from authors responsible for designing, implementing, and disseminating the findings of the evaluations. No other multilateral development or environment agency places evaluation fully at the center of their decision-making. The book outlines the trends in the global environment and the changing landscape of international environmental finance. It defines the role of the GEF and explains its institutional framework and the unique partnership that involves donor and recipient countries, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and national agencies in the developing countries. Further, it provides useful pointers to other organizations wishing to enhance evidence-based decision-making for improving their relevance, performance, and impact. The book will be most suitable for graduate-level, specialized study in a variety of disciplines such as environmental and development economics, political science, international relations, geography, sociology, and social anthropology
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