The aim of Environmental Information System (EIS) is to provide spatial environmental information in digital, graphical format using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). EIS aids in decision-making for City departments such as Environmental Resource Management, Town Planning and Housing. Provincial government departments and consultants in the field of planning and environmental management also benefit from the service.

Further objectives of EIS are to provide residents with user driven and accurate GIS information so as to capacitate and raise awareness about environmental resources and to supply schools with environmental information so as to help complement the curriculum in the subjects of Geography, GIS and environmental studies.

The Environmental Information System (EIS) was initiated for environmental information to serve as an important informant for strategic planning and land-use management in the City. In addition, the information facilitates compliance with environmental legislation as well as contributing towards the annual Sustainability Report for Cape Town. The EIS contains environmental layers such as coastal zone, biodiversity, environmental significance mapping and heritage resource layers. The layers can be superimposed on each other to provide the data necessary for a particular study.

Achievements

• EIS has provided information towards the City’s 2030 Plan.
• An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) has been conducted for Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain Urban Renewal Areas.
• The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning received the City of Cape Town’s input to the EIA Supplementation Project.
• The establishment of a Heritage Data Inventory was compiled for the approval of the Zoning Scheme.
• Tracker for Heritage and Biodiversity Network resources.

For environmental GIS/spatial information enquiries, please e-mail enviro.gis@capetown.gov.za.

For further information, contact:

Mr Keith Wiseman
Tel: +27 (0)21 487 2283
Fax: +27 (0)21 487 2255
E-mail: keith.wiseman@capetown.gov.za