Instituto Geográfico Venezuela - Simón Bolivar(IGVSB)
Instituto Geográfico Venezuela - Simón Bolivar (Venezuela's National Mapping Agency) is responsible for the entire medium and small scale mapping for the country, in close cooperation with two sister agencies: Simón Bolivar University for satellite remote sensing and the Ministry of Agriculture for cadastral mapping and land records.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with World Bank funding asked Lucerne to provide an analysis of the existing facilities and workflows within three agencies and make recommendations for organizational, production and technology improvements.
Challenge
In the 1990’s many Venezuelan government ministries, including Cartografia Nacional (National Cartographic Agency), were either eliminated or decimated when the incoming President, citing corruption, eliminated 80% of all government jobs; intending to start fresh with new institutions, programs and people.
For the purposes of national mapping, satellite surveillance and cadastral responsibilities, a new geographic data partnership was envisioned between ministries and regional agencies, municipalities and the private sector (oil, telephone, electric and data providers) to share responsibilities, costs, benefits and distribution for the geographic data.
Solution
A detailed analysis of operations and requirements was conducted involving top management, operations and main constituents. A summary of conclusions was included in the final report titled, “Improved Efficiencies in the Production and Distribution of Maps and Geographic Information.”
Areas of suggested improvement covered in the report included:
- Technology (digital photogrammetry and remote sensing, network, field computing, and geographic information systems)
- National Standards for Spatial Data Infrastructure
- Quality Assurance processes within production workflows
- Data stewardship
- Web-based data clearinghouse
- Satellite imaging base stations
- Digital Cadastre
- Data sharing and distribution
Client
Instituto Geográfico Venezuela - Simón Bolivar (IGVSB) is Venezuela's State Agency, charted with the production and official dissemination of land information in the areas of geography, cartography, cadastre, geophysics, geodesy and remote sensing; using the latest technology and most rigorous quality standards.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the United Nation's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.
Results
Lucerne's report served as important input for IGVSB's modernization efforts that have been put in motion, with the tutelage of UNDP, during the first decade of the 21st century as a series of projects.
IGVSB has revamped its aerial photography capabilities and digital map production with modern technology.
It also has organized a Digital Geospatial Catalog (clearinghouse) including historic maps, digital map series and aerial and satellite imagery and orthophotography.
Services
