Latest news with #GeographicInformationSystems
Borneo Post
09-08-2025
- Borneo Post
Enhancing water supply asset mapping through Scan-BIM
Amarjit Singh THE efficient management of water supply systems is becoming increasingly important due to aging infrastructures, expanding urban populations, and disruptions caused by climate change. Conventional asset mapping techniques, which typically depend on outdated 2D diagrams or incomplete documentation, have significant limitations regarding precision and usability. These inadequacies can result in ineffective maintenance, suboptimal planning choices, and expensive service interruptions. The application of Building Survey Scanning for the usage of BIM. As the demand for digital transformation in infrastructure rises, Scan-Building Information Modelling (Scan-BIM) has surfaced as a promising technological advancement. This exercise is vital for the Sabah state government since it has more than 90 water treatment plants across the state and over thousands of kilometers of water pipeline plus other assets like service reservoirs and pumping stations. Scan-BIM combines 3D scanning technologies, including laser scanning and photogrammetry, with Building Information Modelling platforms to create accurate, data-rich digital representations of physical spaces. In the realm of water supply networks, this combination allows engineers, utility managers, and policymakers to map assets with remarkable precision. The fundamentals of Scan-BIM, its use in mapping water supply assets, and the effects of implementing this technology in urban utility management. Scan-BIM refers to the combined use of reality capture technologies and digital modelling software to generate accurate, interactive models of physical infrastructure. The process typically begins with a 3D laser scanner or a UAV-mounted photogrammetric system capturing spatial data points to form a 'point cloud.' These data are then imported into BIM software where they are translated into structured models containing geometric and semantic information. In contrast to traditional mapping tools, BIM enables parametric modeling, which means that elements within the model incorporate metadata like material type, installation date, or maintenance records. When combined with scanned data, this method guarantees that the digital model accurately represents the actual conditions — accounting for discrepancies from original designs or undocumented modifications. In water infrastructure, this functionality is essential for effectively and accurately mapping pipelines, valves, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and control systems. The adoption of Scan-BIM in water supply asset management offers a substantial upgrade over traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or paper-based records. Utility providers can use mobile scanning devices to capture above-ground and, where accessible, underground infrastructure with millimeter-level precision. For instance, pump stations, meter chambers, and valve boxes can be scanned to identify corrosion, leaks, or structural degradation. Once integrated into a BIM platform, this information enables enhanced visualization, proactive maintenance, and collaborative planning. For instance, local governments can superimpose Scan-BIM models on GIS basemaps to assess network connectivity and identify vulnerable areas. When replacing or upgrading pipelines, engineers can model various scenarios, evaluate hydraulic impacts, and coordinate multi-utility work within a unified digital environment. This depth of understanding is especially crucial in legacy systems, where the documentation may be incomplete or inaccurate. However, implementation also presents challenges especially on high initial cost, data management overload, skills requirements and integration complexity. Scan-BIM signifies a major advancement in the digitization of water infrastructure oversight. By connecting tangible assets with their digital counterparts, it provides an accurate, engaging, and collaborative method for asset mapping. While the implementation process can be resource-heavy, the long-term benefits — such as minimized service disruptions, improved capital planning, and stronger resilience — make Scan-BIM an essential tool for the future of urban water management. As the rest of the world work to update their infrastructure in response to climate change and increasing demand, adopting Scan-BIM could represent a pivotal transition towards intelligent, sustainable, and data-driven utility governance, the Sabah state government must embark leap forward in relation to its motto Sabah Maju Jaya for the benefit of the people.
Daily Express
09-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Scan-Building Information Modelling: Enhancing water supply asset mapping
Published on: Saturday, August 09, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 09, 2025 By: Datuk Ir Dr Amarjit Singh Text Size: The application of Building Survey Scanning for the usage of BIM. THE efficient management of water supply systems is becoming increasingly important due to aging infrastructures, expanding urban populations, and disruptions caused by climate change. Conventional asset mapping techniques, which typically depend on outdated 2D diagrams or incomplete documentation, have significant limitations regarding precision and usability. Advertisement These inadequacies can result in ineffective maintenance, suboptimal planning choices, and expensive service interruptions. As the demand for digital transformation in infrastructure rises, Scan-Building Information Modelling (Scan-BIM) has surfaced as a promising technological advancement. This exercise is vital for Sabah State government since it has more than 90 water treatment plants across the state and over thousands of kilometers of water pipeline plus other assets like service reservoirs and pumping stations. Scan-BIM combines 3D scanning technologies, including laser scanning and photogrammetry, with Building Information Modelling platforms to create accurate, data-rich digital representations of physical spaces. In the realm of water supply networks, this combination allows engineers, utility managers, and policymakers to map assets with remarkable precision. Advertisement The fundamentals of Scan-BIM, its use in mapping water supply assets, and the effects of implementing this technology in urban utility management. Scan-BIM refers to the combined use of reality capture technologies and digital modelling software to generate accurate, interactive models of physical infrastructure. The process typically begins with a 3D laser scanner or a UAV-mounted photogrammetric system capturing spatial data points to form a 'point cloud.' These data are then imported into BIM software where they are translated into structured models containing geometric and semantic information. In contrast to traditional mapping tools, BIM enables parametric modeling, which means that elements within the model incorporate metadata like material type, installation date, or maintenance records. When combined with scanned data, this method guarantees that the digital model accurately represents the actual conditions – accounting for discrepancies from original designs or undocumented modifications. In water infrastructure, this functionality is essential for effectively and accurately mapping pipelines, valves, reservoirs, treatment facilities, and control systems. The adoption of Scan-BIM in water supply asset management offers a substantial upgrade over traditional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or paper-based records. Utility providers can use mobile scanning devices to capture above-ground and, where accessible, underground infrastructure with millimeter-level precision. For instance, pump stations, meter chambers, and valve boxes can be scanned to identify corrosion, leaks, or structural degradation. Once integrated into a BIM platform, this information enables enhanced visualization, proactive maintenance, and collaborative planning. For instance, local governments can superimpose Scan-BIM models on GIS basemaps to assess network connectivity and identify vulnerable areas. When replacing or upgrading pipelines, engineers can model various scenarios, evaluate hydraulic impacts, and coordinate multi-utility work within a unified digital environment. This depth of understanding is especially crucial in legacy systems, where the documentation may be incomplete or inaccurate. However, implementation also presents challenges especially on high initial cost, data management overload, skills requirements and integration complexity. Scan-BIM signifies a major advancement in the digitization of water infrastructure oversight. By connecting tangible assets with their digital counterparts, it provides an accurate, engaging, and collaborative method for asset mapping. While the implementation process can be resource-heavy, the long-term benefits – such as minimized service disruptions, improved capital planning, and stronger resilience – make Scan-BIM an essential tool for the future of urban water management. As the rest of the world work to update their infrastructure in response to climate change and increasing demand, adopting Scan-BIM could represent a pivotal transition towards intelligent, sustainable, and data-driven utility governance, Sabah state government must embark leap forward in relation to its motto Sabah Maju Jaya for the benefit of the people. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Maverick
04-08-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Meet the 31-year-old Sowetan who compiled Joburg's first digital heritage register
Johannesburg's first digital heritage register documents 90 sites, many of them unknown to the public. A dictionary and a 'useless' university degree turned a Soweto youth into a Joburg heritage expert. At 31, Kopano Monaheng has been a key player in the compilation of Joburg's first digital heritage register, launched on 25 July 2025 — a public tool that brings together decades of forgotten, buried and often deliberately erased history. Born and raised in Phiri and Meadowlands, Monaheng has been responsible for the identification, research, upgrading and restoration of several city heritage sites, and has also named 350 new streets in two informal settlements. His journey began with loss. His mother died when he was two. His father, who instilled in him a love of language through the family's only book, a dictionary, passed away when Monaheng was seven. His grandmother, a seamstress, raised him. 'I was just a boy in Phiri with nothing but curiosity,' he says. That curiosity led him to the local library, his sanctuary from Soweto's chaos. 'The environment in Soweto is always busy and noisy and I would escape to the library where I read everything I could. But it was that dictionary that started my love of words.' After being rejected twice by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Monaheng was accepted into the University of Johannesburg. He studied geography and anthropology, fields that many close to him dismissed at the time as giving him a 'useless' degree. 'Even I started to believe them,' he admits. After a long period of frustration because of unemployment, Monaheng managed to secure free training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which led to an internship with the City of Johannesburg's arts, culture and heritage department. It was Eric Itzkin, the deputy director of immovable heritage, who immediately recognised his potential. 'There was no one else in the department who understood geography and locations the way I did. I applied for this job as I had equal interest in history, geography and anthropology. The three come together when it comes to planning and implementing heritage solutions. I really believe we have to maintain our history for everyone to understand where we come from,' said Monaheng. One of his interventions was advocating for the inclusion of the Eyethu Cinema in Mofolo, Soweto, once the only cinema for black audiences, in the heritage register. The cinema, opened in 1969, had decayed since its closure in the 1990s. Today, it has been reborn as the Eyethu Heritage Hall, a public cultural space. 'I used to see this old place and wonder about its history, so I started researching it and motivating for its inclusion into the register,' he said. He also helped document the St Xavier Catholic Church in Sophiatown, one of the only buildings to survive the forced removals under the Group Areas Act. 'It has a fascinating history and is still a very active Catholic church,' he said. The Kwa Mai Mai Market, a historically rich but under-appreciated space in the Joburg CBD, is close to his heart. Monaheng fought for its inclusion on the register. 'People and tourists tend to go there only for traditional food, but there is more to it. It is home to traditional medicine and healers, with a mixed informal economy, offering muti and herbal remedies, Zulu cultural artefacts, traditional dress and crafts, woodwork, and more, all sold and practiced by cultural entrepreneurs and traditional healers. So I'm hoping to expand tourism there,' he said. Another of his milestones was the Dr AB Xuma House in Sophiatown. Monaheng's research enabled its transformation into a museum, and he personally authored its blue heritage plaque. Names, memory and identity His expertise includes naming and renaming streets, which is often a controversial topic. In the informal settlement of Mnandini, Lawley, he helped to create 200 new street names and addresses through public consultation. In Tshepisong (near Roodepoort), he similarly facilitated the naming of 150 new street addresses. 'In both cases, the community was allowed to choose the new names. Some were African themed and others were named after local grasses and grasslands, given the proximity to wetlands.' He was also involved in the renaming of De Beer Street in Braamfontein to Mthokozisi Ntumba Street, honouring the student killed by the police during the 2021 #FeesMustFall protests. 'People always complain about wasting money, so I did walkabouts and garnered support. It will soon go through council for approval. I worked with Wits, local residents and businesses in the process. There was no cost, just community engagement,' he said. More controversial was the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. 'We intended this to create unity, but politics got in the way. The public participation process got over 70,000 approvals compared to 30,000 objections, but this remains stalled due to political backlash.' Now, Monaheng, whose internship with the City has ended, is working with a private heritage conservation firm. He is hoping to develop heritage tourism routes — paths that aim to connect place, memory and identity. 'Our past lives are in the places around us. If we name them and mark them, we give them life again. Watch this space,' he smiled. Preserving Joburg's heritage Itzkin, who guided the development of the online heritage register, believes this is a crucial step toward democratising memory. 'Kopano identified and ran with projects for the new online heritage register, which brings a wealth of information on heritage buildings and sites spread across Joburg.' The register currently documents 90 sites, many of them unknown to the public. 'Joburg transformed from a mining camp to a metropolis in just a few generations,' said Itzkin. 'Despite its short recorded history, it is rich in drama, architectural evolution and political struggle.' Among the earliest stories in the register are pre-colonial Tswana communities, whose relics can still be found from Klipriviersburg to Melville Koppies, predating the gold rush of 1886. But too often, Joburg has chosen to erase rather than preserve. 'Many buildings, even relatively recent ones, have been demolished in the name of development. We've seen a city constantly rebuilt, often at the cost of its history. 'Heritage preservation in Joburg isn't just about old buildings,' Itzkin said. 'It's about memory and justice. The online register maps the journeys of figures like Nelson Mandela and MK Gandhi — and that of ordinary people, too.' 'They must be preserved for future generations and managed in line with best international practice and legal compliance.' The register was developed by the City's arts and culture team, in collaboration with historians and tour guides. It also provides the heritage status and protection levels for buildings that are more than 60 years old. 'Each site holds a unique story,' said Itzkin. 'And this register will keep growing to include more across the city. 'Joburg may be young by global standards, but its history is deep and dynamic. Much of the city's unique legacy is at risk of being lost, not to time, but to neglect.'
Daily Maverick
03-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Pinpointing Pollution (Part 3): Mapping SA's most at-risk communities
Using Google Earth Engine, Daily Maverick layered satellite-derived pollution exposure data with indicators of vulnerability, including poverty, lack of healthcare access and proximity to emissions sources, to identify one of South Africa's most at-risk communities. South Africa's reliance on coal-fired power stations has long fuelled economic growth, but it also exacts a heavy toll on the environment and public health. To uncover where pollution is most severe and which communities are bearing the brunt, we turned to geojournalism: combining environmental data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to visualise and analyse complex interactions on a map. Mapping the data We layered six key datasets over satellite imagery of South Africa to see how pollution overlaps with population, schools, and healthcare access: Each layer was carefully prepared and integrated using GIS software to ensure alignment and accuracy. Finding the pollution hotspots Focusing on Mpumalanga, home to many coal plants, we performed a hotspot analysis to identify clusters of significantly high pollution levels within 30km of power stations. This analysis revealed that the region between the Kriel and Matla coal-fired power stations stands out as the most polluted area in South Africa. Additional smaller hotspots around other plants, like Lethabo, were noted but were less intense. Pollution meets population and public services Overlaying population density data showed that a significant number of residents live within the pollution hotspot. Multiple schools are located in this area, including some in close proximity to power plants. Access to healthcare in this region is limited; residents typically have to travel several kilometres to reach clinics, and hospitals are located even further away, leaving communities particularly vulnerable. Thubelihle stands out as one of the worst-affected communities because it is densely populated and lies very close to the Kriel power station, which has some of the highest measured particulate matter pollution levels. Moreover, Thubelihle has limited healthcare infrastructure, forcing residents to travel long distances for hospital care. Combined with the presence of schools nearby, this makes the community especially exposed to the harmful effects of coal pollution. Eskom's emission challenges Our findings echo concerns raised recently in Parliament. Eskom itself acknowledged that the Kriel power station fails to meet minimum emission standards for particulate matter, highlighting the health risks faced by communities nearby. However, pollution here is not solely from Eskom's operations. Coal mining activities, heavy transport and household coal burning also contribute significantly to air quality issues in the region. Why this matters By combining environmental data, population statistics and locations of critical infrastructure, geojournalism paints a vivid picture of who is most affected by South Africa's coal pollution crisis. Children attending schools near power plants, communities far from healthcare and densely populated wards all intersect in this hotspot, underscoring urgent needs for policy action and environmental justice. DM
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
BHU meet stresses application of geospatial tech in rural devt
Varanasi: To equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to utilise geospatial tools in planning and implementation of rural development initiatives, the Centre for Integrated Rural Development of the Faculty of Social Sciences at BHU organised a day-long workshop on Saturday focusing on 'Application of GIS, GPS, and Remote Sensing in Rural Development'. The workshop drew around 60 participants from diverse academic backgrounds including Economics, Geography, Agriculture, Political Science, and Rural Development. Attendees represented reputed institutions such as the University of Allahabad, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Amarkantak, Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Purvanchal University, DDU Gorakhpur University, HNB Garhwal University, IIT-BHU, and BHU itself. Experts conducted technical training sessions on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and Remote Sensing technologies, illustrating their applications in field-level data collection, planning, and monitoring of rural development programmes. The workshop featured hands-on sessions led by Prof Amit Kumar from Institute of Science, BHU; Vinod Kumar Tripathi Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU; and Shubham Dixit from IIT-BHU. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
