GIS

OS donate survey kits to Bahamas

Ordnance Survey (OS) has donated 170 field survey kits to the Bahamas to help with strengthening geospatial learning and mapping capacity.

The donation will enhance practical training and support the continued advancement of surveying, mapping, environmental management, infrastructure planning, disaster resilience, and sustainable national development across the Bahamas. The donation grew out of a technical exchange visit by Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) officials to the UK last year when a need for high-quality survey instruments was identified. www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Korea to build 3D ‘New National Map’

The Korean government will shift its spatial information system, currently centered on 2-D maps, to a 3D spatial information foundation that artificial intelligence (AI) can utilize, and will foster the related industry. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) had confirmed the “Fourth Basic Plan for Spatial Information Industry Promotion (2026-2030)” following deliberation by the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Committee.

The basic plan consists of three strategic initiatives and 12 detailed tasks. First, the government will build spatial information, a core infrastructure of the AI era, from multiple angles. MOLIT plans to build six types of high-precision three-dimensional core spatial information that will serve as the foundation for an AI highway. Moving away from 2D maps centered on a 1:5,000 scale, the plan is to newly build the entire national territory into a high-precision 3D map, dubbed the “new Daedongyeojido” (Great Map of Korea), to achieve digital transformation, while also expanding the scope of 1:1,000 scale mapping.

The high-precision 3D spatial information secured in this way will also be used as AI training data. Based on this, MOLIT will pursue the development of a “GeoAI foundation model” that analyzes space to support decisionmaking, and will increase related research and development (R&D) investment. Plans to expand satellite infrastructure also stand out. In addition to the currently operating National Land Satellites 1 and 2, the ministry will introduce additional units 3 and 4, and will newly introduce a radar satellite (SAR) capable of constant observation.

First, it will overhaul regulations that hinder the use of spatial information. It will revise disclosure restriction standards to fit reality, and establish a basis for private companies to distribute spatial information they produce themselves after security processing.

The digital twin national territory model, used for disaster prediction and response, will also be expanded to various fields. GeoAI-based services such as a “land development permit pre-diagnosis service” and a “factory permit service” will be increased to support citizens’ lives and corporate activities. Through the overhaul of data standards and quality management systems, the government will enhance interoperability among spatial information and support convergence with new technologies such as AI. en.sedaily.com

Nagaland GIS Centre boosts evidence-based planning

The Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre (NGISRSC) has significantly strengthened evidence-based planning and sustainable development in the state through the extensive use of geospatial technologies. According to senior project director of the NGISRSC, the Centre’s key initiatives, including statewide Village Resource Mapping, assessment of hydropower potential, urban mapping down to the buildingfootprint level, landslide hazard zonation, aquatic resource mapping, traffic studies, and several other thematic geospatial projects. https://theshillongtimes.com