The City of Johannesburg’s Directorate of Corporate Geo-Informatics (CGIS) is ramping up efforts to raise awareness about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) this week. While International GIS Day is officially celebrated on 20 November 2024, CGIS will mark the occasion with activities on Thursday, 21 November 2024.

The City uses digital geoinformatics for various essential functions, including resource and infrastructure inventory, street name provision, address management, land-use management, zoning, and town planning.

GIS Specialist Roxanne-Pyal Parthab said GIS Day provides an ideal opportunity to highlight the everyday applications of GIS. “We aim to educate the community on the uses of GIS, including determining locations on smartphones, satellite imagery, aerial imagery, oblique imagery, and remote sensing,” she explained.

CGIS has planned outreach events across the City’s seven regions, inviting City employees and residents to participate. “Our goal is to demonstrate GIS applications and share information through pamphlets and flyers about the directorate’s services and how to reach us,” Parthab added.

She noted the City’s advancements in geoinformatics, particularly the integration of attribute and locational data, as well as the alignment of GIS with other systems like TAS, BAS, and LES.

Residents and employees interested in learning more about geoinformatics can access a virtual training course available on the CGIS online maps portal. Parthab highlighted the course’s long-standing role in empowering users: “The online maps training enables residents and staff handling property-related matters to access essential information independently, eliminating the need to stand in long queues at municipal offices or information centres.”

She encouraged all stakeholders to attend the training, which teaches users to navigate the platform effectively and resolve queries regarding the information available. “Many users are unaware of the platform’s full potential. The training helps them unlock the tools on the online maps viewer, maximising its benefits to address complex land-related challenges in Johannesburg,” she said.

The online maps training is free and includes an introduction to the City’s online maps website. Interested participants can book a session by emailing Roxannep@joburg.org.za or ims@joburg.org.za with the subject “Online Maps Website Training”. The training is open to both City employees and the public.

Keep an eye out for CGIS in your region on Thursday, 21 November 2024, between 09:00 and 14:00. See locations below:​

Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
19/11/2024

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