EMIS - UN-Habitat

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Building an Environmental Management Information System should be kept in mind: beyond a certain point additional information does not really contribute much to deciding one way or another on concrete actions and policies. However, projects can be often delayed or halted because essential information is missing, while time and resources do not allow in-depth research. In such cases, you may have to rely on estimated figures, common sense or community knowledge. The more the data is partial, missing, inconsistent, etc., the more judgmental expertise is required to convert it into meaningful and reliable information. This is especially likely to be the case for environmental issues (indeed, it is one of the reasons for introducing an EPM process). “Non-scientific” information may be used as long as the source is stated. There is usually a minimum critical mass of information needed to support well-founded conclusions. The challenge is to find the right balance. Of course the aim will be to replace this kind of information in a later stage of the EMIS with more scientific data. But for the moment, what counts is that some information is better than none. Avoid the data trap It is important not to fall into the “data trap”, i.e. getting bogged down in a large, general purpose, open-ended and unfocused data collection exercise. Such an exercise is almost invariably unsuccessful and therefore largely irrelevant. The purpose of an EMIS is not to substitute for general purpose or even sectoral statistical services or research institutions. Nor is “information” synonymous with “data”: only with analysis, interpretation and synthesis does data turn into information. An example to illustrate the difference: a list of sample results – for example, values of “BOD5” from water quality tests – is data incomprehensible to the non-specialist. However, when interpreted, this data may reveal, for example, the information that the values exceed the legal health standards and render the water severely unfit for human consumption due to excessive organic contamination. An EMIS makes a clear distinction between factual information and policy information. Factual thematic maps show quantifiable or “countable” data, for example geology maps, soil maps, population density maps, etc. Policy maps show information about certain policy decisions such as national acts, laws and by-laws, global environmental standards or rules and conditions developed by stakeholders during the working group process. Policy maps can be classified as Suitability and Sensitivity Maps. Suitability and Sensitivity Maps interpret information from factual maps and rank areas as “more and less suitable”, “good and bad”, etc. according to specific rules and conditions. For example, a map on water pollution compares the chemical composition (facts) of the water and relates it to standards, rules and conditions (policies). If a certain chemical exceeds a certain level then we call it polluting. Policy maps are based on an intensive participatory process. They are subjective, as they show policy aims and represent different opinions which have been negotiated during the working group process. These maps will be always disputed and discussed. Maps must be consistent An EMIS sticks to a consistent mapping rationale, so that the maps produced are easy to interpret. Many similar maps will be produced, showing, for example, the suitability of areas for different development activities. It will be much easier for the user if all maps use the same pattern for land classed as very suitable. Information must be accessible to everyone Information in the EMIS has to be accessible for everyone in the public, private and popular sectors. This is an important principle, because an information system is 20
Introduction and Overview derived from many users. The more people use the system, the more information enters the system. This principle addresses the typical “data bank syndrome”. The information system should not be viewed as a static hoard of “valuable” information, deposited by its owners to be carefully guarded from “unauthorised” access, like in the vaults of a bank. Rather it should be seen as a continual flow, like a newspaper, where information is continuously and actively sought out, quickly analysed and summarised, and rapidly distributed widely and without restriction. Information is like news, a perishable item that loses value over time. The usefulness and influence of a newspaper comes from immediately disseminating new information, not retaining it. An effective information outreach strategy is absolutely necessary for the success of the EMIS. Step 1: Setting up the EMIS Setting up an EMIS unit takes considerable resources, and must be supported by an adequate number of personnel: at least a GIS officer and one GIS assistant. An EMIS system can be built without computer equipment, but it is much easier to use a computer-based Geographic Information System (GIS) to handle the amount of data the system will contain. The standard EMIS set-up requires a high-end desktop computer, an A0 inkjet printer, and input devices such as a digitizing board or a scanner. For fieldwork, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver will be essential. The office which contains the central EMIS set-up and the filing system (map filing cabinet) should be free of dust, cool and spacious enough to handle large printouts. A light table is essential for group discussions around particular maps printed on transparent material. If the EMIS unit is located where it can take advantage of the services of a nearby Technical Support Unit, this is even better. In any case, an EMIS unit must always be able to call on technical support. 21 �� For online contacts please use Reference Material 2 – Web Links
Page 1 and 2: Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP)
Page 3 and 4: The SCP Source Book Series Building
Page 5 and 6: Introduction and Overview B5.1 Exhi
Page 7 and 8: List of Acronyms EMF Environmental
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The Toolkit: Key Steps in Building
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Tools and Methods P-mapping with: a
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Building an Environmental Managemen
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1. EMIS set-up (hardware) DATA COLL
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Map 1 Building an Environmental Man
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Map 4 The Toolkit: Key Steps in Bui
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Map 11 Building an Environmental Ma
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United Nations Human Settlements Pr
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EMIS - UN-Habitat

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