Department of Municipal Affairs discusses with the UK Firm Ordnance Survey strengthening cooperation in the field of spatial data

H.E. Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef the Under Secretary of the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) and Dr. Vanessa Lawrence CB, Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey Great Britain; the parent organization of Ordnance Survey International, discussed strengthening cooperation between the two parties within the framework of an agreement signed previously and aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of geospatial information and authoritative mapping, at a time the DMA is developing an integrated infrastructure for spatial data in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

At the meeting which was held at the headquarters of the DMA in Abu Dhabi and was attended by officials from both organizations, the DMA reviewed the output and outcome of the land surveying bill and the scope of the land management system, and the improvement and development of processes for updating the base map and best practice and standards and quality control in this area. The discussion also included ways that enhance the level of spatial electronic services provided by the Department of Municipal Affairs, and the electronic systems for these services in addition to testing and registration of surveyors and surveying companies in the Emirate.

In the context of capacity building and organizing practices and adopt licensing professionals in the field of work surveying and mapping, the meeting discussed the establishment of a surveying and mapping academy in collaboration with local educational institutions.

The two sides decided to organize workshops aimed at strengthening cooperation between both and to exchange experience and expertise for the development and regulation of surveying business practices and equipment and techniques used, and develop ways to set up and manage and update maps basis according to the best specifications and standards in this area and to enhance cooperation in in the field of geospatial information management.

It is worth mentioning that the Department of Municipal Affairs, the supervisory and regulatory body of the Municipal work in the emirate, is responsible for providing and managing and updating foundation maps for all areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is currently developing the infrastructure of spatial database system, and implementing a new addressing system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in line with international best practice and beyond.