The St Helena Government’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Section is marking the 25th anniversary of GIS Day on November 20, with the theme “Mapping Minds, Shaping the World.”
Over the past year, the GIS Section has worked to promote GIS technology within SHG. They have run awareness campaigns to increase understanding and highlight its benefits. The advancements in technology have enabled collaboration with various departments to provide data-driven solutions for informed decision-making.
Established in 2005, the SHG GIS Section is unique on the island. It offers analysis and mapping services to various departments and stakeholders. Recent projects include assisting the Darwin Project with reviewing National Conservation Area boundaries, analyzing transportation arrangements for school bus services, digitizing internal request databases for trend analysis, and collaborating with Land Registry to review island parcel boundaries.
The GIS Section encourages using existing data for analysis. An example includes analyzing planning applications from the Planning Management Office database to create a “Hot Spot” map that highlights areas with significant development activity. This helps prioritize infrastructure improvements where growth occurs.
The department is also incorporating Drone Surveying into its capabilities. Recent drone pilot training will enable them to use photogrammetry technology for more detailed outputs. This enhancement will allow SHG to monitor land assets effectively.
For more information about GIS Day or related inquiries, contact GIS Manager Devlin Yon at [email protected].
