In his introductory remarks, ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson
Andrews referred to the occasion as a “high mark’ for the legacy of the
ARD, explaining that the remapping of Grenada lays the foundations for
opening a host of developmental activities for the next decade.
The ARD contracted TechMap of Georgia, USA to conduct the aerial
survey aspect of the Project, which utilises a technique called LIDAR –
Light Detection And Ranging. The TechMap team is headed by Dan Burke,
Global Positioning System (GPS) Technician; and includes Matt Boone,
Aerial Survey Pilot; and Jason Ellard, Senior Camera Operator. The
LIDAR survey is scheduled to commence on Monday, November 6. Depending
on the weather, the aerial and ground works are expected to take about
two weeks
During the Press Briefing, Mr. Burke explained that the twin engine
Sesna 401, which is blue and white, will be flying over Grenada,
Carriacou and Petit Martinique at a range of 2,000 to 7,000 metres.
The Project involves ground work to set up survey equipment at
elevated points throughout the Country. The equipment will be
temporarily placed, so members of the public are asked to cooperate
with Mr. Burke when he seeks permission from land owners in this regard.
The ARD began developing the Grenada LIDAR Remapping Project early
in 2005, in conjunction with the Physical Planning Unit of the Ministry
of Finance. The principal objective is to support the Government of
Grenada in its efforts to improve the quality of physical development
and hazard mitigation, based on accurate, comprehensive and current
mapping information.
The first part of the Project focussed on training. In January 2006
the ARD, with support from the United Nations Development Programme,
facilitated training for Public Officers on the use of the Geographical
Information System (GIS) through satellite technology. The GIS is a
data base of all the essential attributes of the land.
The second part involves the aerial survey and ground works. In
preparation for this, the ARD had the maps from the Valuation Division
scanned, which enabled geo-referencing and digitizing of maps for the
Land Use Division. However, the last time Grenada was aerial surveyed
was in the 1970s. Therefore, even though some Ministries are using GIS,
it based on digitised versions of old maps.
The ARD also held meetings in October with representatives of the
National Water and Sewerage Authority, Cable and Wireless, Digicel,
Grenada Electricity Services Ltd., National Disaster Management Agency,
the Royal Grenada Police Force and the Grenada Ports Authority to
update these agencies and companies about the Project and determine
what actions they need to take in order to maximize the benefits from
the exercise.
Total costs for the Project are approximately $400,000 (US). This
includes the application of aerial photography that will yield a wide
range of technical details in digital form; additional hardware and
software for Government agencies that will use the data, as well as
more training for Public Officers.
This major initiative by the ARD will modernise geographical
information and provide the base for the establishment of a National
Cadastre, which is the official register and record of the ownership,
area, land use and value of each parcel of land in the Country.
The Remapping Project is one of the most significant undertakings by
Grenada. It will have a substantial impact on the positive development
of the Country. The benefits include:
- Land use guidelines;
- Urban development;
- Environmental management;
- Accurate assessment of risks and potential hazards;
- Disaster preparation and management;
- Forestry management;
- Mapping of all existing roads;
- Ability to assess areas for development and cultivation;
- Revenue generation for Government through the sale of maps;
- Site selection for human settlements, recreational and other facilities;
- Lay the basis for Grenada’s Human Settlement Policy for the next 10 years.