GIS Adoptionin Saudi Arabia:in Saudi Arabia:

Obstacles and Challengesg

By

Dr. Baqer Al-Ramadan, Chairman, Architectural Engineering DepartmentKing Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaE-mail: bramadan@kfupm.edu.sa

Webpage: http://www kfupm edu sa/crp/baqer htmlWebpage: http://www.kfupm.edu.sa/crp/baqer.html

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GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

Numerous public and private agencies have adopted GIS in the countryadopted GIS in the country

Many other agencies are contemplating to doMany other agencies are contemplating to do so

GIS Adoption is at both:Th ti l dThe national and The local levels

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

3GIS Adoption at the National Level

Mi i t f M i i l d R l Aff iMinistry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA)

First agency at the national level to use GIS (since 1988)MOMRA’s first project was intended for Land Records ManagementCurrent MOMRA’s GIS Projects:

Urban and Regional Planning Information S t (URPIS)System (URPIS)Cadastral Information System (CIS)

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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fMinistry of TransportationGIS for Bridges Maintenance (started 1996)

Ministry of Water & Electricity:Water and Sewer Directorates of the Ministry:

dh ( d 2003)Riyadh core area (started 2003)Dammam core area (started 2004)

Ministry of EducationMinistry of EducationGIS Project started 2003Through Department of Geographic InformationThrough Department of Geographic InformationObjective: build a nation-wide Schools GIS data base

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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Ministry of Interior:Ministry of Interior: Ministry-wide GIS ProjectImplemented by the Ministry’s National Information Center

General Authority of Tourism & Antiquities:Antiquities:

GIS Data base about Points of Attractions & h l l dArcheological Sites nation-wide

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

6GIS Adoption at the Local Level

Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA):First in the country at the local level to use GISADA GIS activities first started in 1986Digital Base Map of Riyadh Completed in 2002www.arriyadhmap.com

Dammam Municipality:Dammam Municipality: Municipality-wide GIS Project

Phase I started 2004Phase II started is under finalization (Dec 2009)Phase III RFP is under preparation

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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Riyadh MunicipalityRiyadh MunicipalityMunicipality-wide GISthrough the Municipality recently established GISthrough the Municipality recently established GIS Unit

kk h i i liMakkah Municipalityin progress sine 2003through Municipality GIS Centerthrough Municipality GIS Center

Royal Commission in JubailRoyal Commission in Jubail GIS activities started 1994

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

King Faisal Specialist HospitalGIS Project to track spatial pattern of spread of cancer

Hasa Irrigation and Drainage Authority (HIDA):(HIDA):

Plans for a comprehensive GIS project.Fi Ph i b ild h b f hFirst Phase is to build the base map of the agricultural oasis with the help of UN FAO

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Private Sector Saudi Electricity CompanySaudi Electricity Company

On-going Company-wide GIS ProjectCovering:

Eastern ; Central; Western; and Southern ; ; ;Regions

ARAMCO e-Map Project:ARAMCO e Map Project: An ARAMCO-wide GIS Project i i 2001in progress since 2001

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC)(STC)

GIS Project to geo-reference mobile towersj g

11Challenges in GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

Lack of Leadership and Coordination

Too many projects in the country with no di ti ticoordination or cooperation

Instrumental for the success of the technology

Leads to loss of efforts & resources

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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L k f D tLack of DataBase maps are either outdated or inexistentSimilarly is the case for attribute dataLeads to the need to establish from scratch which i hincreases the costData input is a major challenge in terms of cost and timeand timeConstitute about 80% of the total expenditure

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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Other Challenges

Unawareness of decision makers of the b fit f th t h lbenefits of the technologyImpact on securing fundspact o secu g u dsInsufficient study of user needsLack of procedures for a periodic update of the databasepLack of GIS Specialists

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

14Recommendations for ProperRecommendations for Proper Adoption of GIS in Saudi Arabia

Increase awareness of GISIncrease awareness of GIS

Standardize data classification and categorizationcategorization

Develop and implement digital data transfer and exchange standards

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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Secure human resources in GISSecure human resources in GIS through:

specialized GIS curricula in colleges and universitiesspecialized training

Establish a GIS National SteeringEstablish a GIS National Steering Committee Establish a National GIS Center

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia

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Thanks for Listening

Assessment of GIS Adoption in Saudi Arabia