EMIS - UN-Habitat

Environmental Atlas of Lima
Building an Environmental Management Information System
Lima, capital city of Peru, home to more than 8 million people and the
economic and cultural centre of the nation, is experiencing uncontrolled
growth at an unprecedented pace. As a result, environmental concerns
have become central to attempts to improve living conditions and direct
the future development of the city. Unfortunately these attempts are
hampered by a lack of complete and concise environmental information.
The environmental atlas project facilitates the provision of such
information.
The principal aim of the atlas project was to build the capacity of
relevant organisations at the national and local level to enable them
develop a GIS-based system to access and exchange environmental
information. An important concrete output of the project was the
production of an environmental atlas in paper and digital format
The project was carried out by public institutions in Peru that produce
and use environmental information and that are responsible for
environmental policy, planning and management. The various products
in the atlas have been developed by experts from these organisations,
working in various disciplines. This has ensured that the information used is of high quality and up to date.
The project participants have acquired the skills necessary to develop the products of the atlas through
training programmes in geographic information systems, spatial and environmental analysis, cartography,
information system development and spatial data infrastructures.
The atlas presents a wide variety of environmental themes covering the geographical area of the greater Lima
region, grouped into the chapters Natural System (geology, geomorphology, hydrology, climate, the El Niño
phenomenon, natural hazards, ecosystems), Human System (spatial development, demography, services,
identity and economic activity), Man and the Environment (quality of water, soil, air and natural and human
induced risk), and a section that discusses past, ongoing and planned projects and initiatives to protect
the environment. It contains over 100 full colour maps at various scales, hundreds of photos and graphics
and elaborate descriptions of the environmental phenomena occurring in the region.
The atlas provides the first comprehensive high quality overview of environmental information in the Lima
region. The information in the atlas is being used by professionals in urban environmental planning and
management, policy makers, academics, students and the general public. It is helping to build the necessary
understanding of a complex environmental reality and is helping to shape the future of the city.
A sample chapter from the Atlas on air pollution (p.104-113 of the atlas, provided by ITC and IMP) can be
found on the EMIS CD. The map gives an example on the concentration of lead in the air of Lima city. (www.
munlima.gob.pe/imp)
See Tool 27:
Information
Outreach for some
general tips on
the preparation of
publications.
Project Newsletters
Project newsletters can be used to tell stakeholders and members of the Mapping
and the Working Groups about the progress of the EMP process on a regular basis. A
newsletter will also help to keep the general public and people interested in the work of
the Sustainable Cities project in your city. A newsletter can be distributed in hardcopy
or in electronic format via email or your web site. It can also be distributed in partner
institutions and during exhibitions as well. However, be aware that the preparation of
a newsletter – writing articles, asking Working Group members for input, laying it out
and printing and distributing it – consumes a great deal of time and effort. You also
have to be sure that the articles are newsworthy and interesting. A newsletter template
(in Adobe Pagemaker format) is included on the EMIS CD-ROM.
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