If you would like to have a bird’s eye view of the City of Johannesburg Metropolis, then the free municipal online mapping training is tailored for you. As the world grows increasingly digital, this initiative is expected to revolutionise the way residents interact with the City’s geographic landscape and municipal information. Roxanne-Pyal Parthab, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist in the Directorate of Corporate Geo-Informatics (CGIS), expects the free online training to enhance accessibility to valuable geographical information and empower residents with vital mapping skills.

The online mapping system promises a comprehensive view of the City’s layout and property data. This includes a plethora of information such as proposed townships, property ownership, street addresses, market values, and zoning data.

However, the scope goes beyond these essentials, with customised mapmaking tools offering annotations and dynamic overlays.

“The best part is that the City offers free online mapping training to residents to help them gain more knowledge and to use the system independently,” says Parthab.

She believes this training not only empowers residents but also alleviates the need for long queues at information counters.

Residents can now download data, reports, and maps directly, saving time and resources.

Parthab notes that the training takes users through each tool on the online maps and how to interact with these to get the desired outcome, like conducting property searches, finding ownership details, zoning categories, and market values of City of Johannesburg (CoJ) properties.

It also helps ratepayers determine where the flood lines are, which contours or environmental and topographical features exist within particular study sites, and how to locate metres, account numbers, and properties being billed by the City.

“The training aims to equip the user with the tools they need to navigate the online maps independently and efficiently,” she affirms.

The beauty of this training lies in its tailored approach.

Each user’s needs are comprehensively understood to ensure a focused and efficient experience.

From conducting property searches to understanding zoning categories and market values, the training covers a spectrum of vital topics.

Parthab says the initiative is not a mere introduction but a comprehensive journey.

Over time, it has evolved to incorporate various resources such as Q&A sessions, user guides, quick mapping tutorials, and even an online support helpline.

The interface itself has grown more user-friendly, incorporating feedback and suggestions from users over the years.

“The online maps have many new themes that focus on specific factors of importance, including revenue, valuations, zoning, and property.”

One remarkable feature of this initiative is the development of a mobile version of the online maps, catering to users in the field.

Whether it’s a City employee or an external user, the convenience of accessing crucial land-related information on mobile devices cannot be overstated.

“This underscores the initiative’s commitment to modernising the way residents interact with their environment,” she adds.

Training sessions, facilitated by experienced GIS experts from CGIS, offer a comprehensive understanding of the mapping system. City employees and the public are encouraged to participate in these enriching sessions, offered from Mondays to Fridays between 12 pm and 2pm.

Booking a slot for the training is as simple as sending an email to Roxannep@joburg.org.za or ims@joburg.org.za with the subject “Online Maps website training”. Alternatively, bookings can be made by dialling 011 407 6159.

Municipal officials can access the online maps via Jozinet or by using the following link: https://jozinet.joburg.org.za/onlinemaps. External users can access the online maps from the e-Services website or by using the following link: https://eservices.joburg.org.za/disclaimer.

The ability to harness the potential of online mapping not only boosts individual knowledge but also collectively contributes to the City’s development.

Parthab says this newfound proficiency in navigating the cityscape is poised to transform residents into informed stakeholders, ready to engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way.

Manuals and quick mapping tutorials are available on request via email.