Abstract: R. Maxwell Baber, Katherine Noble-Goodman, and Jayaram Reddi, University of Redlands

“Rwanda & GIS: Reflections on Field Mapping and Community Interaction”

Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 4:00 p.m., ESRI, Building L, Fourplex

 

The University of Redlands Environmental Studies and MS GIS Programs – in partnership with the Millennium Villages Project (MVP) and the Centre for Geographic Information Systems at the National University of Rwanda (CGIS NUR) – are using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to compile a database and study characteristics associated with community access to available water supply in the Mayange sector of Rwanda.  The project team digitized water access point locations and explored spatial dimensions of land use characteristics associated with water quality and quantity, with plans to model data and support more effective diagnoses of problems with existing public water sources.  Water access points were located using GPS, and water usage characteristics were surveyed via personal interview at each site.  Collected field data was added to a regional database composed of environmental and governmental GIS data layers provided by MVP and CGIS NUR.  Geographic characteristics associated with good water sources are used to determine suitability as a water access point.  A spatial model outputting information regarding access to good quality water will be developed using collected and previously available spatial data.  Anticipated model results will be output as a statistical surface revealing relative suitability of all locations in terms of potential for water access throughout the region.  The model will allow the team to better diagnose problems at lower quality sites and to identify new areas that may prove to be suitable locations for water source improvement projects.   Additional GIS services were provided to MVP while in the field, extending the original project objectives to include boundary mapping as well as a more complete spatial data inventory than was previously available.  Furthermore, collaborative relationships between MVP and CGIS NUR were initiated as a byproduct of project team efforts, establishing additional goals to provide GIS software and training to MVP staff.