68
P.A.G. Watts
range from database management, through GIS and geospatial data Consultancy to
specialist data acquisition and project management. In this way we hope to ensure that
future generations of customers, including those in the coastal zone can acquire not just
raw data, but more importantly, refined information to support their core business
processes and decision-making/taking activities.
Matching Mapping (Geospatial Information) to Applications
One of the problems facing new or developing users of GIS and related “tools” is how
to gain an appreciation of what is most relevant and suitable for a specific application,
from the plethora of products and services available. In the coastal zone, where
planning and management processes relate to a wide range of activities and can
potentially vary from a short length of leisure beach, or a marina and its environs, to
many tens of miles of dynamic coastline, the problem becomes more significant.
Adding to this situation is the rapidly changing environment in which coastal
zone users are operating. For example many Coastal Zone organisations are facing new
objectives, particularly the need to respond to national and international initiatives such
as devising strategies for Sustainable Development and action plans on Bio-diversity.
These changes are leading to new functions such as Shoreline Management Planning
and Coastal Zone Planning. There are also new users who have acquired an interest in
the coastal zone directly because of such changes in the circumstances of the zone.
They include, for example the Insurance Industry, Environmental agencies, some
Utilities and those involved in Contingency and Emergency Response issues.
The needs of this new and evolving user base in the Coastal Zone are also
leading to the requirement for, and adoption of, new products and systems. New data
requirements include, for example, Digital Elevation Models of increasingly higher
resolution, Imagery of various kinds and data offering a strategic dimension. Demands
for new delivery systems are also emerging. In addition to traditional paper-based
products and latterly magnetic tape and disc media, there is now a growing requirement
for On-line access to regional and national databases, and for access to data, and to
refined information via the World Wide Web. The transience of processes for some
users is also leading to a growing need for new services such as customised maps, often
with ephemeral content. Many of these demands are emerging as a direct result of the
growing use of CAD and GIS in the routine business operation of organisations that are
involved in the Coastal Zone.
Looking at a selection of Coastal and Shoreline applications may help to
crystallise some of the principles that need to be encapsulated in a “best practice”
approach.
Shoreline Management Planning
In Great Britain Shoreline Management Planning is primarily the responsibility of the
coastal Local Authority that is responsible for sea defence and shoreline protection.
Lengths of shoreline (Management Units) are defined, where a consistent defence and
protection management policy is envisaged. The role of the coastal local authority in
co-ordinating the preparation of the SMP ensures that it is complementary to adjacent
P.A.G. Watts
range from database management, through GIS and geospatial data Consultancy to
specialist data acquisition and project management. In this way we hope to ensure that
future generations of customers, including those in the coastal zone can acquire not just
raw data, but more importantly, refined information to support their core business
processes and decision-making/taking activities.
Matching Mapping (Geospatial Information) to Applications
One of the problems facing new or developing users of GIS and related “tools” is how
to gain an appreciation of what is most relevant and suitable for a specific application,
from the plethora of products and services available. In the coastal zone, where
planning and management processes relate to a wide range of activities and can
potentially vary from a short length of leisure beach, or a marina and its environs, to
many tens of miles of dynamic coastline, the problem becomes more significant.
Adding to this situation is the rapidly changing environment in which coastal
zone users are operating. For example many Coastal Zone organisations are facing new
objectives, particularly the need to respond to national and international initiatives such
as devising strategies for Sustainable Development and action plans on Bio-diversity.
These changes are leading to new functions such as Shoreline Management Planning
and Coastal Zone Planning. There are also new users who have acquired an interest in
the coastal zone directly because of such changes in the circumstances of the zone.
They include, for example the Insurance Industry, Environmental agencies, some
Utilities and those involved in Contingency and Emergency Response issues.
The needs of this new and evolving user base in the Coastal Zone are also
leading to the requirement for, and adoption of, new products and systems. New data
requirements include, for example, Digital Elevation Models of increasingly higher
resolution, Imagery of various kinds and data offering a strategic dimension. Demands
for new delivery systems are also emerging. In addition to traditional paper-based
products and latterly magnetic tape and disc media, there is now a growing requirement
for On-line access to regional and national databases, and for access to data, and to
refined information via the World Wide Web. The transience of processes for some
users is also leading to a growing need for new services such as customised maps, often
with ephemeral content. Many of these demands are emerging as a direct result of the
growing use of CAD and GIS in the routine business operation of organisations that are
involved in the Coastal Zone.
Looking at a selection of Coastal and Shoreline applications may help to
crystallise some of the principles that need to be encapsulated in a “best practice”
approach.
Shoreline Management Planning
In Great Britain Shoreline Management Planning is primarily the responsibility of the
coastal Local Authority that is responsible for sea defence and shoreline protection.
Lengths of shoreline (Management Units) are defined, where a consistent defence and
protection management policy is envisaged. The role of the coastal local authority in
co-ordinating the preparation of the SMP ensures that it is complementary to adjacent