Mapping the Future: TCPD and its partner agencies complete G.I.S. Training
The Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) of the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) hosted three phases of Geographic Information System (GIS) Training for its staff and other government agencies (OGAs) during the months of August and September 2019. GIS Training is just one of many sensitization activities which has been undertaken by MPD to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared for the implementation of the Automated System for Construction Permitting (ACPS) in Trinidad and Tobago.
“A Geographic Information System (GIS) is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data, and it is a tool that TCPD Staff and other key stakeholders in the construction permitting process should be knowledgeable in.”
In August 2019, the first phase of GIS training was conducted and incorporated both Basic and Intermediate GIS User Levels. The target user audience included; TCPD’s Development Control Inspectors, Draughtsmen, Research Officers and Town Planners from the various Regional Offices. Building Inspectors and Engineering and Survey Officers from some Municipal Corporations also attended these sessions.
The second phase of GIS Training held between September 9th and 10th, saw TCPD’s Development Control Inspectors, Research Officers and Town Planning Assistants delving into Digital Mapping and other pertinent topics such as Spatial Data and TCPD’s Cross-referencing System in a thorough two-day session.
GIS Training then wrapped up on the ‘sister isle’ of Tobago on September 19th and 20th,
where members of TCPD’s Tobago Regional Office and the various Divisions of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) were introduced to Coordinate Systems, GIS Data Models and a host of other interesting GIS features.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data, and it is a tool that TCPD Staff and other key stakeholders in the construction permitting process should be knowledgeable in as the implementation and subsequent nationwide rollout of the ACPS draws nearer.
