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Abu Dhabi City Municipality has launched a sophisticated project comprising a smart electronic system for soil database. This Geospatial Information Management System (GIMS) system contains all geotechnical, geophysical, hydrological and environmental data, which are all displayed in interactive geological maps.
The project is undertaken in the context of the Abu Dhabi emirate’s vision; a strategic plan designed particularly for the development of Abu Dhabi. The project is also intended to realize the Emirate's future vision and establish a modern society and a competitive, sustainable and globally open economy with an advanced and innovative digital system.
As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure customers’ happiness and raise their satisfaction with public services, the Municipality strives to leverage the efficiency of services on offer by continuously improving and automating internal & external procedures. As such, it will contribute to implementing the digital transformation of services in Abu Dhabi emirate.
Project Vision
Khalfan Sultan Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Town Planning Sector at Abu Dhabi City Municipality, said: “The projects mainly serves decision makers as well as future policy makers as it provides a comprehensive soil map, and integrated soil databases for each area in addition to the uses of soil, especially during the design and construction phases of buildings. It involves conducting geological studies prior to establishing mega projects such as residential complexes, high-rise towers, bridges and tunnels. The project also aims to provide integrated mapped records about the quality of soil in each area in Abu Dhabi city using a unified central database to the benefit of the relevant government entities and developers Abu Dhabi city. The project is also intended to make it easy for engineers and employees to use soil maps in studies and analyses, besides retrieving soil data reports (soil type, soil depth, soil layers, soil extension, groundwater level and chemical & physical properties) in the form of geological maps.”
Engineer Mohammed Omar Basaleeb, Director of Building Permits at Abu Dhabi City Municipality, said, “GIMS and geological digital mapping system are mainly based on compiling all soil data from various approved sources before feeding them into the smart e-system. The system will analyze such data and identify soil threats in various areas of Abu Dhabi city, besides devising solutions tailored to the nature of each area.”
“The process of collecting soil data has been transformed from paper or scanning-based method to digital data using a specialized database that analyzes, processes and links such data where geological maps are updated automatically and regularly. These maps serve investors and property owners in the construction sectors in Abu Dhabi city. They offer an accurate & simplified source for geological scientific researchers & data analysts. It epitomizes the Municipality's mission based on optimally utilizing human & material resources and establishing a smart city that fosters better livelihood and success ingredients,” added Basaleeb.
Citing the accuracy and quality of the soil data, which is saved in a unified central database at Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Basaleeb pointed out that reports received from various public & private entities participating and operating in building sector are collected. They will then be used to obtain accurate and precise information about the layers and properties of the soil so that such information is revised audited by specialist engineers at the Division.
“The project is implemented in several phases, starting with Phase I which includes designing two-dimensional soil maps, which have now been completed and uploaded to the E-system. These maps describe soil layers at each individual area by depicting a geological section. They are based on fixed technical standards commensurate with the area & width of each region, along with the groundwater levels and geological challenges if any,” continued Basaleeb.
“Phase II, he noted, comprises converting this data into 3D maps (360◦) using the latest specialized programs.” He highlighted the need to utilize this data in other phases of developed an innovative technological nature, as this data would save effort, time and money to all customers of Building Permits Division.”
Phases and Steps
The project started by creating a website with a database for land plots and sectors in Abu Dhabi city. The system is operated by engineers specialized in feeding geospatial data including the geographical coordinates of each point, besides describing the layers at different depths. It then designs a 3D model to identify the level and direction of groundwater using modern techniques, mathematical equations and logical analyses to calculate the strength & capacity of soil at all land plots. It also prepares all studies as well as geological & physical analyses to extract geophysical analysis maps through the different mechanisms used to study groundwater levels and caves before displaying and linking them to the geographical browser of "Makani".
Engineer Ahmed Sadiq Al Marzouqi, Head of Soil Engineering Section at Building Permits Division, said, “Abu Dhabi Geological Map project consists of two main phases: The first included transforming scanned soil test reports & manual data entry to the digitalized system. Phase II included designing a system for retrieving 2D soil maps, while the Municipality is currently designing a system for creating and viewing 3D soil maps.”
Appreciation & Acknowledgement
Engineer Ahmed Sadiq Al Marzouqi represented Abu Dhabi City Municipality in the GIS International Conference (GISWORX 2018), which was held in Dubai in May 2018. A visual presentation about the Geometric Data System (GIMS) and the Geological Maps System of Abu Dhabi City was conducted. Attendees highlighted the importance of such data and its display methods. They also pondered the possibility of upgrading it using the latest technology.
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