Abstract
In recent years there have been huge advancements in GIS as a technology and as a science. Previously, GIS was critiqued as a segregating science used exclusively by geospatial experts. In recent years however, various studies have investigated the potential for communities without geospatial training to contribute towards, or benefit from, the use of GIS. Indeed, innovations such as open source and internet based packages like Google Earth and Open Street Map as well as mobile navigation devices have already popularised the importance of geospatial data. This study sought to investigate one way of providing up-to-date maps to fishermen and tourists using dams in South Africa. The paper reports on a pilot case study in the use of web based GIS service for mapping on the Theewaterskloof dam in South Africa. It presents a case study methodology for the development and testing of a web GIS that can be optimised for smartphones and tablets so that communities can access updated information while using the dam, which is rated as dangerous, for fishing or other recreational activity.
Highlights
In South Africa, the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is the custodian for water-related data on state-owned dams
National Geospatial Information (NGI) – Each image date varies (Image service created by DWA – 2011)
South African National Space Agency (SANSA) 2011 (Image service created by DWA – 2012)
Summary
In order for one to have access to specific datasets or information (hard copy or digital), various individuals in the organisation have to be contacted. This is because the information is fragmented and exists in silos throughout the organisation. One potential solution to these problems is the use of an interactive web based map information service that could be developed to facilitate instantaneous access of various stakeholders’ to relevant data. This study sought to develop a methodology for the development of such a web based service that could facilitate access to both spatial and nonspatial data using the Theewaterskloof dam area as a case study site. The amount of data available and the precarious nature of the dam structure were two main factors in choosing this dam as the pilot study
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