EMIS - UN-Habitat

You may also wish
to refer to the SCP
Source Book Vol. 5:
Institutionalising the
Environmental
Planning and
Management (EPM)
Process
Building an Environmental Management Information System
In the SCP Source Book Vol. 5 you will find two examples of the many possible
solutions to the location of the EMIS unit, together with their advantages and
disadvantages, presented with short descriptions of SCP city experiences.
Physical location of the EMIS
Bear in mind that the EMIS unit must be physically accessible to the general public.
The system is participatory, and it is important that people feel that they can have
physical access if necessary. Perhaps a public room with a computer can be made
available, or maybe the office can be opened to the public at a specific time or on a
specific day. Remember that even if the EMIS is located in a purpose built office with
full technical and political support, it loses a great deal of meaning if it is isolated
from the general public.
The office environment
Just a few remarks about the office environment: the equipment for the EMIS needs
to be kept in a place which is clean, dust-free, dry and cool. The technical equipment
needs space, and you will be handling large sheets of paper, so you should choose a
spacious office. The office should be easily accessible to the relevant stakeholders – it
should not be a laboratory used only by few specialised technicians. As well as typical
office equipment such as chairs and desks, it is useful to have at least one additional
table, preferably a light table on which you can make overlays manually. You may
choose to buy a tabletop light table, which is less expensive than a whole light table.
However, it is fairly easy to get a light table built locally. You will also need a map
filing cabinet. Vertical plan filing cabinets are more space efficient than horizontal
cabinets. The size 52” high x 35” wide x 20” deep (for a maximum of 600 drawings,
size 40”x 30”) is the most appropriate (don’t forget to order filing strips with it).
Light table �������������������������� ����������������������������
B1.2 Placing and engaging staff
The EMIS unit is responsible for setting up, operating and maintaining the technical
equipment, acquiring and analysing data, creating maps, maintaining the data, coordinating
the process with the Issue-Specific Working Groups and the Mapping Group,
and providing or organising sensitisation and training course in EMIS.
Staff must be professionals with a technical background and knowledge of GIS and
urban environmental management. They have to have good communication and
organisational skills because they will be dealing closely with stakeholders – not only
government departments and other institutions, but also at community level. Experience
in document design and layout and information outreach strategies are also essential.
People who combine all those qualifications are not so easy to find. However, most
cities have at least one department where a GIS has been established, so there are
people available within the municipal offices with some experience. Additionally,
many universities provide basic training in GIS technology and applications. Resource
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