Publications
Publications
Abstract
In the recent past, there has been continuing growth in using GIS and related technologies by many organisations engaged in planning and management of the Kathmandu Valley. As a result, the demand for accurate and homogenous spatial data of the Valley has been realised by government as well as research and development organisations.
This study attempts to build a comprehensive GIS Database of the Kathmandu Valley with an aim to bridge the important data gaps in the Valley. The study employs a fresh approach in constructing a GIS database with the available maps and integrates many different kinds of satellite imageries. The maps presented in this publication visualise the different scenarios and raise the awareness of exiting digital database. The application presented in this publication shall increase awareness about the usefulness of digital database and demonstrate what can be achieved with the GIS and related technologies. The database thus developed shall improve the availability of information of the Kathmandu Valley and assist different stakeholders engaged in planning and management of the Valley.
Furthermore, the study advocates a building block approach to development, management and revision of database in a complementary way and it hopes to avoid duplication of efforts in costly production of digital data. The study hopes to sensitise senior executives and decision-makers about the need for a sound policy on database sharing, development and standards. Such a policy, at the national level known as National Spatial Database Infrastructure (NSDI) should evolve in order to benefit from the prevailing GIS technology. In using GIS and related technologies, the study facilitated the establishment of Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Kathmandu Valley in a concrete manner.
The CD-ROM contains the following information and datasets:
Full Publication
The entire publication has been packaged in HTML format and can be accessed in an interactive manner using Internet Explorer 3.0 or later. All the maps used in this CD-ROM are in JPG format.
Topopgraphic Database with ArcExplorer Browser
The topographic database of 1:25,000 scale is in Arcview Shapefile format. The ArcExplorer, which is freeware software of ESRI, is packaged along with the CD-ROM to view the database. Appropriate views have been created to browse the database, however, users may wish to create their own views and produce outputs as desired. The satellite imageries used in the publication are available in JPG format only.
Data Dictionary
The documentation of different GIS data layers - both topographic and satellite image database - has been developed in HTML format, with thumbnail view, to serve the concept of metadata of the Kathmandu Valley GIS database.
Your comments and suggestions on the contents of this CD-ROM are most welcome and can be sent to:
Basanta Shrestha
Systems’ Specialist, ICIMOD
e-mail: bshrestha@icimod.org.npSushil Pradhan
GIS Analyst, ICIMOD
e-mail: suspradhan@icimod.org.np[Note : Data quality assessment or authentication of datasets was beyond the scope of this study and emphasis was laid on the accessibility and availaibilty of data. ICIMOD-MENRIS is not responsible for any conclusions drawn from the datasets in whatsoever form upon it’s use.]
