The State of Qatar and the Use of GIS in Restaurants Sector - Case Study Example

Table of Contents The State of Qatar and the Use of GIS in Restaurants Sector Introduction GIS is defined as computer based technology that comprises of software, data, and hardware as well as procedures, which are used to correlate, encode, analyze and store information regarding the earth’s surface. The data found in GIS are mainly related to various applications. All GIS data are common, as they associated with geographic location a common element required in correlating, integrating as well as analyzing the data. An effective GIS environment needs some important building blocks such as a digital topographic database, a digital land parcel map database, and a geodetic network, which provide an accurately coordinated reference base (Hazime, 2011). The rationale for GIS is mainly found in its application towards helping users to solve issues related to their work. The above mentioned fundamental building blocks are important components, which have to be considered before the development of any GIS application starts. If all GIS applications are developed to conform to reference bases as well as associated standards, the data can be correlated with other data referenced to the same base (Wiedmann, Conventz, Salama & Thierstein, 2013). Therefore, the collected data by one discipline can be used by others when required. This help in minimizing redundancy as the GIS data require being stored by the agency, which has the authority to create it. This report aims at analysis on how the state of Qatar uses GIS on restaurants sector. History of GIS in Qatar on Restaurants Sectors A GIS user needs study was carried out in 1989 towards ascertaining different areas that would benefit from GIS implementation. The study showed that the potential use of GIS in Qatar mainly in restaurants sector was enormous. There were some recommendations from the study which included implementation of digital mapping database in the entire country, the creation of a comprehensive, integrated nationwide GIS and establishment of high-level national GIS steering committee responsible for setting standards as well as overseeing the implementation and development of GIS in Qatar in various sectors including restaurants sectors. To act on the recommendations, Qatar established a National GIS Steering Committee as well as the Centre for GIS (Curtis, Arrigo, Long & Covington, 2009). The role of the Centre is to implement GIS in restaurants sector in Qatar in a systematic and organized manner as well as serving the GIS requirements of all government agencies. The main tasks of the Centre were to implement Digital Topographic database that provides a consistent framework for GIS users as well as their applications. Currently, more than 60 percent restaurants sectors in Qatar are using GIS in their daily activities. Their databases are compatible and integrated via a high-speed fiber optic network (Martens¹, 2013). Various GIS applications have been developed and are being used to benefit restaurants workers, private businesses as well as citizens in Qatar. Qatar is the first nation to implement a nationwide GIS and is globally recognized as one of the finest GIS in the world. The Centre for GIS The Centre for GIS reports to the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning. The ministry comprises of planning and projects, mapping and archives as well as a topographic survey. The main role and responsibilities of the Centre for GIS includes: Creating as well as updating Qatar Topographic Database in restaurants sector and all related services for the whole country in coordination with other interrelated agencies Maintaining Qatar’s Geodetic Network in restaurants sectors and other relate services. Providing the connection towards Qatar’s Topographic Database as well as maintaining it. Conducting research needed for developing the implementation of GIS in Qatar’s restaurant's sectors. Developing as well as monitoring national GIS standards and terms Establishing high-speed GIS data sharing network in restaurants sector as well as linking it with agencies GIS databases and securing data. Providing assistance and consultation towards ministering various agencies with issues related to GIS implementation. Implementing procedures to maintain the safety and security of Qatar’s GIS databases in restaurants sectors. A main task of the Centre for GIS is the development of digital mapping standards for the production of restaurants sectors Digital Topographic Database in Qatar’s. To this end a book entitled “From city branding to e-brands in developing countries: An approach to Qatar and Abu Dhabi” by Hazime was published in 2011, and an automated digital map monitoring system was implemented to enable the creation of accurate, functional digital topographic database. Centre for GIS has worked with other related agencies, which have helped to implement GIS towards providing guidance as well as advice on ways to develop data specifications suitable for their disciplines to ensure they are compatible with standards of other agencies. This has resulted in the development of National GIS database specifications, which consist of various agencies. The purpose of these database specifications is to define each agency, type of data included in the database and how data is structured and how the data is accurate. This process has ensured that every data used on restaurants sectors is identified, and only one agency should be responsible for collecting as well as sharing with other agencies. Also, it has helped to standardize as well as streamlining data collection, data management and also minimizing redundancy. Moreover, use of GIS in restaurants sectors in Qatar has improved quality assurance, field service, programming as well as inventory maintenance. According to Curtis, Arrigo, Long & Covington (2009), the Centre for GIS is the custodian of the geodetic network in Qatar consisting of almost 6,000 horizontal control survey monuments as well as more than 4,000 vertical control survey stations distributed throughout the country. The monuments are mainly used to achieve a higher level of accuracy in the surveys. The geodetic network provides the accurate framework at which point Qatar’s digital base maps and digital elevation model are structured. With the technical advancement in satellite navigation systems field including GIS, survey activities around Qatar have changed and improved tremendously mainly in restaurants sectors. Towards catering for the growing need of different entities including real-time support for the survey as well as mapping, and automatic machine control system. QCORS is a Qatar Coordinated Network of Reference Stations, which are distributed throughout Qatar to provide Global Navigation Satellite System in support of 3-dimentional positioning activities (Allen, 2010). The result is mapping class accuracies with great consistency over Qatar. A web-based application provides restaurants sectors with efficient and access to data for post processing (Martens¹, 2013). Recognizing the ongoing requirement for qualified GIS experts as well as managers throughout government, the Centre for GIS has implemented a training program that provides various courses in all aspects of GIS management. Modern training facilities in Qatar consist of training halls with audiovisual facilities as well as other equipment and a specialized GIS library, which carries maps, periodicals, and different book titles. Recently, in Qatar, the Centre for GIS has adopted an approach to train, which allow staff to train up to a certain level of proficiency and develop the skills through practice before moving on to advanced classes. Moreover, apart from holding regularly scheduled classes, there is also Centre for GIS regional training workshops as well as special training courses. The curriculum development is ongoing whereby the courses range from days to months depending on the requirements of the trainees as well as their agencies. Due to the world renowned position held by Qatar’s GIS in restaurants sectors, the Centre for GIS reached an agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute to establish an authorized regional training program (Mili, 2009). Qatar Area Referencing System Qatar has adopted a property identification system known as Qatar Area Referencing System. The building in Qatar is identified with a unique number as well as utility companies such as water, telecommunication. Towards catering for the planning needs and coming up with a coding system, GIS undertook to revise as well as enhancing the Qatar Area Referencing System projects (Olsen & Zhao, 2001). A comprehensive database serves the needs of all agencies in Qatar by use of GIS towards linking a QARS number with the geographic location of the building number plate. Some of the implementation that has been achieved includes: Conducting a field survey of all properties in Qatar Use of GIS software in issuing new building numbers based on field survey data. Installation of anodized aluminum plates, which indicate street, building number as well as zone. These plates are embedded with RFID tag. This project has created a great enthusiasm deal for a wide range of practical applications in restaurants sectors in Qatar. Applications, which will take advantage of the information wealth resulting from the project, include water, electricity, emergency, education, telecommunications, statistics as well as drainage. Overcrowding of popular Restaurants in Qatar In Qatar, most of the popular restaurants are crowded into one area due to lack of enough experts of GIS in the country. The GIS experts are required to support and coordinate the following activities in the restaurant's sectors: Developing and implementing GIS standards as well as specifications. Identifying, promoting and advising on GIS and integrated solutions. Responsible for the validity, quality and integrity assurance of generated data. Managing and delegating tasks. Supervising and strengthening the skills and the knowledge of the team. Coordination of data with the Team on GIS interoperability. Coordinating with the other teams in the sector for development as well as maintenance applications Persuade the delivery of distinct projects. Spatial as well as temporal data analysis. Preparing plans & presenting data through appropriate media. For GIS experts to be certified in Qatar, they must possess various requirements including: More than 12 years of GIS experience in a professional environment. Experience in a multi-disciplined environment delivering enterprise with GIS solutions as well as services to high standards. Must be a member of a GIS professional body. Must have the experience to manage a team of GIS analysts. The experience of controlling a large number of datasets. Experience as well as skills of ESRI ArcGIS software. Experience and skills in ArcGIS Extensions Experience using of data in different GIS formats. Experience using FME Server. Experience using AutoCAD software. Experience using web-based GIS solution delivery. Knowledge of GIS interoperability. GIS tools There are various GIS tools including overlay and proximity, surfaces, spatial and non-spatial statistics, table management and selection and extraction. The most used GIS tools automate tasks, which were done manually-compiling new maps by overlaying one on top of the other (Allen, 2010). Some of the manual tasks were so complex that the held back the dissemination of geographic skills were the main impetus behind the GIS invention. Overlay and proximity tools Overlay contains tools that overlay various feature classes to erase, combine and update spatial features into a new class. There are various types of overlay operations including intersect, update as well as identity. Proximity contains GIS tools which determine the proximity of spatial features in a feature class. Some of these tools include Near, Point Distance as well as Buffer. Advantages of Buffer tools According to Olsen & Zhao (2001), buffering refer to the creation of a zone of specified distance around coverage features. In GIS, the buffer is a zone around a map feature that is measured in units of time. It is a vital tool for proximity analysis. It is defined by the bounding region that is determined by a set of points at a specified distance from nodes along object segments (Curtis, Arrigo, Long & Covington, 2009). Overlay analysis is among the spatial GIS operations. It helps to integrate spatial data with attribute data. This is done by combining information from GIS layers to derive an attribute for various layers. Moreover, virtualization is performed at the network edge. Virtual network topology decoupling helps to avoid issues such as limited MAC table size in physical switches (Martens¹, 2013). Moreover, Buffering is a significant tool in determining the area covered within a location. Buffer analysis is important as it helps to identify areas surrounding geographic features. Buffer analysis involves buffer generation around geographic features and then identifies features based on whether they fall in or outside the buffer boundary. The buffer can be used to vector as well as raster data that is abnormal for most geographic information system operations. Use of buffers in GIS is the ability to use different rings for varying buffer distances (Mili, 2009). Scenarios regarding restaurant sector in Qatar The 3 scenarios about the use of GIS in Qatar’s restaurants sector include; Scenario 1 involves geographic information system guides for emergency response, Scenario 2 which is the recycling of restaurants waste, and Scenario C which is the composting and recycling of waste in various sectors. In the 3 scenarios, industrial waste was assumed to increase at an average annual rate of 1.02 % in Qatar, while the waste from commercial establishments; institutions and the market were assumed to increase at an average annual rate of 1 per cent. Scenario 1: Geographic Information System Guides for Emergency Response Many countries in Middle East are prone to severe threats. The state public health department is responsible for emergency supervision. In Qatar, a deputy state public health officer serves as the main liaison to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At the center of the emergency response operations is a shared Geographic Information System database of the state which includes detailed geographic information regarding the population, buildings, state and facilities, transportation systems, water systems, and wells. Forecasts from the National Weather Service, used to update the database, indicate the possible areas, which will be flooded. The actual progress of the river is documented by aerial photographs that are scanned and calibrated using physical features already represented in the database. Emergency workers in the field use global positioning systems (GPS) to determine the locations of particular problems, such as impassable roads and bridges, which are difficult to pinpoint in a flood. Scenario 2: Geographic Information System Guide for Recycling of Restaurants Waste This scenario characterized what would happen if individuals in the restaurants sector in Qatar will have their waste recycled. If recycling institutional waste will be imposed, there will be 88,021 m3 recovered recyclable waste for a period of 10 years or an equivalent volume from 200 m3 to 225 m3 year 2020. Scenarios 3: Geographic Information System Guide for Industrial Waste was assumed to Increase Annually If this scenario will be imposed, there will be over 200,000 m3 recovered compostable waste and 150,000 m3 recovered recyclable waste. However, this requires change in the lifestyle of Qatar residents by becoming aware of reducing the waste produced in restaurants including a support from the government to provide adequate services for waste recovery projects. Conclusion Increased adoption of GIS in restaurants sectors in Qatar has led to decreased cost, as well as a diversified range of users in other sectors. Moreover, the adoption of the applications that delivers geospatial service to the people has increased. Use of GIS in an integrated process takes into consideration sustainability as well as resources management. GIS-based mapping, as well as analysis, represents a great tool for archaeologists within commercial sectors such as restaurant, but its full potential is not realized because of the lack of knowledge. Since the establishment of GIS in Qatar, it has played a significant role in modern commercial sectors. The capability of projecting multiple geodetical datasets and perform spatial analysis has proved invaluable to understand spatial environments. The GIS has remained to be an expensive discipline. In Qatar, GIS software is utilized by various sectors such as governments, businesses as well as organizations worldwide towards managing and creating geospatial data. Hundreds of the users are creating unique data daily to map every aspect of the world from the maps seen in reports to the applications used to find ways to restaurants. Therefore, GIS plays a vital role in people’s daily lives across the world. In Qatar, most of the popular restaurants are crowded into one area due to lack of enough experts of GIS in the country. More GIS experts are required to support and co-ordinate various activities in the restaurant's sectors in Qatar. Reference Allen, D. W. (2010). GIS tutorial 2: Spatial analysis workbook. Esri Press. Curtis, S., Arrigo, J., Long, P., & Covington, R. (2009). Climate, weather and tourism: Bridging science and practice. Center for Sustainable Tourism, Division of Research and Graduate Studies, East Carolina University. Hazime, H. (2011). From city branding to e-brands in developing countries: An approach to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. African Journal of Business Management, 5(12). Martens¹, P. (2013). Can Certain Intellectual Property Rights both Protect and Promote Unique Traditional Products and Cultural Heritage from Developing Countries for Economic Benefit? The Case of Georgia (No. 2013/14). Mili, S. (2009). Market dynamics and policy reforms in the olive oil sector: a European perspective. Traditional food production and rural sustainable development: A European challenge, 215-238. Olsen, M. D., & Zhao, J. (2001). The restaurant revolution-growth, change, and strategy in the international foodservice industry. Journal of Restaurant & Foodservice Marketing, 4(3), 1-34. Wiedmann, F., Conventz, S., Salama, A. M., & Thierstein, A. (2013). The role of advanced producer service firms in the development of urban diversity in Doha. In 4th Annual Gulf Research Meeting. Read More