Kabul Urban Survey - Groupe URD

the Government of Afghanistan. The aim is to extend this work on a national scale but
it will take a considerable amount of time to complete this.
5.2 Observations on spatial data
5.2.1 Outdated spatial reference
In conclusion, for analysing, working, programming, tackling urban issues and implementing
urban programmes, the different urban actors do not have many maps of Kabul city at their
disposal.
- Two out-of-date plans used as administrative references by Kabul Municipality: the
Master Plan of Kabul 1978 and the Kabul Map with 22 districts which is currently in use.
- Different departments in the MoUD use different data.
- The international community involved in the urban sector use satellite maps or AIMS
2005 plans.
5.2.2 Steps in providing training on spatial representation
The different administrative departments have received some computer training but a lot of
time is required before they are operational with computers. For example, AGCHO received
its first computer only three or four years ago and one was reserved for administration.
Participants attending GIS training need to be computer literate. So different approaches
could be adopted to improve efficiency in GIS:
- Various levels of training. This process has already begun with AIMS and EMG/USAID
training sessions which provide various levels of training programmes. This will take
longer than with a normal training session because many of the engineers are middleaged
and were trained in the 1970s under the Soviet occupation. Learning new
techniques will take time.
- Mixed classes of professional engineers and students in the medium term.
Providing training to both AGCHO engineers and students from technologic engineering
university departments could be a means of accelerating the exchange of practical
experience and training the new generation in GIS. The time required to master these
skills is estimated at between two and four years.
- Budget to pay competent engineers in the present term. In order to benefit from
international and modern technical assistance with Afghan or foreign engineers, it is
important that all engineers in the GIS map departments are capable of working with
computer software.
5.2.3 Accelerate spatial expertise in parallel
Updating existing city maps and creating new spatial graphic information at different levels is
urgently required in order to build a database of the real urban situation and to be able to
coordinate forthcoming rehabilitation or extension programmes. Establishing a consensus
between all the different urban stakeholders on urban maps is necessary in order to resolve
urban issue collectively. An acceleration in the process with the support of external expertise
could allow international aid organisms to target programmes more quickly towards locally
affected populations and needs.
5.3 Actors involved in urban planning: process & problems
5.3.1 Multiplicity of actors and data sources
In the period of institutional reconstruction, the roles of local traditional institutions,
international aid organisations, funding partners, UN advisors and NGOs are unclear. Each
actor has its own objectives and ideas on the subject of rehabilitation but coordination needs
to be established between:
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