Dubai launches Middle East's largest smart geological project to produce soil maps

DUBAI, 19th June, 2017 (WAM) --Dubai Municipality has launched the largest geological project in the Middle East, the Soil Map Project, to produce and extract interactive soil maps using soil survey data and to save all interactive soil maps in a centralised and unified database, said Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality.

He said that the project will contribute to the availability of a comprehensive soil map and an integrated database on the soil of each area for the decision makers and future policy planners.

"The map's valid uses are particularly significant because of the importance of maps in the design and construction of buildings for conducting geological studies before the establishment of large projects such as dams, bridges, tunnels, high-rise buildings and towers. It's also important to provide comprehensive records supported with maps of each area in the Emirate of Dubai in a central and unified database," said Lootah.

He said the project also aims at facilitating the use of soil maps in the study and analysis of soil and soil data, soil type, soil layers, the groundwater level, chemical and physical properties, in the form of interactive maps.

Lootah pointed out that the objectives of the project also include simplifying the work procedures for the end user, reducing paper consumption, conservation of natural resources, reducing per capita consumption of gasoline and achieving the vision of the municipality through its initiative, Zero Visit to the municipality as ordered by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

He pointed out that the benefits of the project include contributing to the transparency required in order to obtain the correct and accurate information about the soil. "It also helps in saving the time, effort and money of the real estate agents and contributes to facilitating the employees to retrieve the data and carry out the necessary analysis. It also contributes in providing two-dimensional soil map and also helps to provide correct soil report data in the unified central database, in addition to contributing in simplifying procedures, and facilitating access to accurate information," said Lootah.

Maryam Al Muhairi, Director of the GIS Department spoke about how the idea was developed and accomplished. "It came through brainstorming sessions and all the administrative, technical and technological project requirements were discussed between the team, experts in the department and senior management," she said.

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