Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1394990
10 COMMERCIAL 22.7.2021 Renewing Malta's basemap DEPICTING the islands' geography, the basemap of the Maltese archipelago offers a three-dimensional view of the country, with layers of information use- ful to many. Yet, despite its abundant potential lo- cally, Malta's basemap had not been up- dated in over 30 years – until 2018 when it was updated as part of the SIntegraM project – an EU ERDF project managed by the Planning Authority. e PA did not stop there since in ear- ly 2020, Malta's Planning Authority (PA) set out to update the 2018 basemap on a regular basis to ensure that Malta's spa- tial data infrastructure is kept updated. "Our basemap was originally created in 1988, so it needed a significant update to make it more representative of Mal- ta today," explains Joseph Gauci, the PA's Deputy Director for ICT, Mapping and Digital Services. "We will also continue to keep it up to date while developing a new system in Malta for how we collect, manage, analyse and share spatial data." Gauci's team uses high-resolution or- thographic 3D imagery and drones to build the volumes of data across the map's 18 layers and more than 50 differ- ent classifications with impeccable pre- cision. Charting the key characteristics of Malta's terrain (including buildings, cliffs, roads and open spaces), the map's potential uses range from better spatial planning and the proper management of ecosystems and their services, to the cre- ation of new bus routes and emergency services. "Until now, most models have only been available in 2D, so a 3D model will give a more detailed, reliable insight into Mal- ta's terrain," Gauci says. "is specialised information has unique importance as it gives a reliable, visual snapshot that can assist in building awareness and making A year ago, the basemap of the Maltese Islands no longer reflected reality, as it had been three decades since its last revision. Deputy Director for ICT, Mapping and Digital Services Joseph Gauci discusses how Malta's Planning Authority has brought the basemap back up to date – and how it will keep it current "Through an integrated approach, we can work together to ensure Malta's assets are respected and incorporated into every development decision, which is especially important on such a small island."