Abdul Rauf Abdul Rasam

Urban poverty area identification using high resolution satellite imagery: A preliminary correlation study

The study of urban poverty using high resolution satellite imagery and environmental data set has been widely used in many countries since early year 2000 to estimate, detect and identify the poor areas. By using remote sensing approach the identification of poor area can be pre-predicted without intensively to go to the ground. Due to high life expenses at urban area in Malaysia recently, the investigation of urban poverty in dense areas becomes much important especially in identifying the squatter and low cost houses which are expected to be settlement for people who are at low level income. This paper is going to discuss approaches being used in our pilot study to determine urban poverty areas which identified by correlation studies on high resolution IKONOS satellite imagery. The expected end result will be verified through multiple analyses via Remote Sensing and statistical approach.

MyGeoHealth: GIS-based cholera transmission risk system in Sabah, Malaysia

Malaysian Geographical or Geospatial Health (MyGeoHealth) is a term used to describe innovative method for monitoring environmental risk factors on human health. There are possible spatial relationship between environment and cholera outbreaks in Tawau, Sabah due to the recent outbreaks are hard to predict. Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae (Vc), which occurs naturally in coastal phytoplankton (Chl-a) related with sea surface temperature (SST), shellfish and man. This study adapts the MyGeoHealth by emphasizing the potential of geographical information system (GIS), satellite remote sensing (RS) and global positioning system (GPS) to develop an introduced cholera transmission risk system in Tawau, Sabah. Spatio-temporal pattern and effect of SST, Chl-a, and cholera cases were determined using integrated geospatial technologies (GIS, RS and GPS), statistics and epidemiological approaches. Although the results of the effect were only statistically minimum correlation, the disease could outbreak at anywhere and anytime particularly at high population, unhygienic environment, close to the contaminated water supply, and during the hot or the wet season. These spatial characteristics of outbreak could be used as a cholera transmission risk indicator and an efficient control plan in Sabah as required in the MyGeoHealth.

Development of Geographical Based Library Information System(GeoLIS)

In Malaysia, the implementation of GIS in the LIS is in early stages and still no extensive studies are done in this field yet. The current problem of the UiTM Library System (OPAC) is to find the exact location of library materials particularly books. GIS is an application with the power of tools which enable a user to manipulate, store, analyze the data or information. The aim of this study was to design and develop the Geographic-Based Library Information System (GeoLIS) using GIS technology and other information system tools. The objectives of this study were, i) to carry out user requirements analysis for development of GeoLIS , ii) to design the GeoLIS, iii) to develop the GeoLIS and to test the performance of the GeoLIS. The methods used in this study were adapted from standard System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Network Analyst in ArcGIS, Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, Map Object, and Microsoft Access were software used in developing the GeoLIS. The user requirements analysis was distributed to the selected users using interviews, observation and questionnaire. The result of user requirements showed that the current system used by UiTM (OPAC) had several limitations, particularly it could not facilitate the student to find exact location of the book and need to be improved. Therefore, the proposed system (GeoLIS) allowed the user to perform database query or book searching, provide user with map direction of the book and detail information about the book such as image, description and review. The GeoLIS could also be used by the PTARs organization and users as a searching reference for any future library management and development.

Evaluating the relationship between scanning resolution of laser scanner with the accuracy of the 3D model constructed

A 3D laser scanner is an active image capturing instrument that has the ability to accurately send a signal and capture it back in x, y and z dimension. The then can be used to produce the real surface condition in relevant processing software which is suitable for direct measurement on the image or constructing DTM (Digital Terrain Model) the as what is possible in photogrammetry. A 3D laser scanner captured image the same as photogrammetric camera that capture x and y coordinates and z value measured by distance from the instrument to the object. As the development of computer technology become so advanced the capability of software to handle images captured with certain overlapping coverage to produced 3D model has been proven capable of producing a high quality surface model as the raw data captured in 3D with instrument coordinates system. The principal used in laser scanning technology is the same in photogrammetry but the different is the laser scanner can measure distance from the object to the centre of the instrument as well as it offer a different scanning resolution and wider angle of coverage which is not available in normal camera used in close range photogrammetry. When the laser scanner scan a object it actually calculate the a 3 dimensional coordinate for each pixel on the object based on the principal of 3D triangulation since it measure distance, angle and high of instrument provided by user. A surveying technique for acquiring positional data to construct DTM (Digital Terrain Model) such as laser scanner should be evaluate the impact of scanning resolution in order to relate the scanning resolution and the accuracy of the surface model for a GIS or any other application. The technique of producing 3D model and the size of spatial pixel captured during observation must relevant to the cost of producing and accuracy requirement of the client. This paper will study the impact of scanning resolution on the accuracy of the points on the ground by comparing the coordinate obtained with 3D scanner with GPS static observation.

Climate variability and anthropogenic impacts on a semi-distributed monsoon catchment runoff simulations

Recent studies has showed that the modification on land use have an impact to hydrology particularly flood and global climate variability. Therefore, the major factor decided to the effect of hydrological responses in contributing flood disaster in this research, is land use changes as well as climate variability. This study tries to provide a framework mainly to apply a semi-distributed hydrological model in a monsoon catchment and to quantify the relative contributions of physio-environment (i.e. land use change and climate change) effects to hydrological response and flooding in the River Kelantan catchment. The HEC-HMS hydrological model was utilized to show that land use change, predominantly deforestation for agricultural purposes, has potentially caused some increases in hydrological response over time (i.e. 16 years) in the upstream area. However, the predicted effect of precipitation change was about three-to-four times greater than that of land use change in the upstream area. In the downstream area land use change was predicted by the model to have led to a very small decrease in hydrological response between 1988 and 2004 compared to the precipitation change. It is plausible to suggest that during the monsoon season, with heavy precipitation and the large area involved, the effect of land use change on the hydrological response may reduce and allow precipitation to become the dominant factor in causing changes in peak discharge and runoff volume.

GIS-based muslim cemetery information system

The current manual registration system applied by the Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA), Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), and local cemetery visitor in searching death information and grave cemetery location are still operated manually. This paper demonstrated the potential of GIS, GPS, Google earth and other ICT technologies in developing a digital Muslim cemetery information system in Section 21, Shah Alam. This proposed system (Islam-21) was developed based on the standard System Development Lifecycle (SDLC); i) to conduct user requirements analysis, ii) to design and develop the system and iii) to test the performance of the system. Although only 57 per cent from 30 respondents strongly agreed the need of the proposed system, the system was essential in fulfilling the users requirement particularly in giving grave direction and death information. The Islam-21 allowed the user to perform database query for grave or death searching, provided user with map direction of the detailed spatial death information. The future implementation of this innovative prototype might be increased among the people of Malaysia, thus its functions have being enhanced by applying interactive and dynamic web-based 3D database information and visualization for public service improvement.

Potential of single orthorectified of high resolution satellite image (Ikonos) for large scale mapping

High and accelerating rates of the urban changes and the urban area growth especially in developing countries needs for efficient and fast techniques for map production and revision with the appropriate accuracy. The used of high resolution with ground resolution had changed mapping perception due to its unique characteristics and have a good potential as a data sources for map production. Thus, the mapping potentials of the single IKONOS image had been thoroughly examined on 2D geometric accuracy assessment. Based on overall evaluation, it is found the amount of error and the entire image is have a good geometric planimetric accuracy that regardless to its standard requirement and it is suggested and recommended to be used for large scale map production. Otherwise, the experience gain from this research will eventually highlight the future role of existing technology towards the mapping production in large scale specification for various mapping applications and also may contribute significantly to the topographical data collection process.

Integrating Cadastral GIS Database into GPS Navigation System for Locating Land Parcel Location in cadastral surveying

Cadastral surveys deal with one of the oldest and most fundamental facets of human society, which is ownership of land. They are the surveys that create, mark, define, retrace, or reestablish the boundaries and subdivisions of the public lands in Malaysia. Knowing exactly where the boundary lines are is important for many different activities. If there any consideration of constructing a building on the property, conducting a cadastral survey is a requirement to avoid any possibility of encroaching into a neighboring land. This type of survey can ensure that fences and other improvements are located in exactly the right position within the boundary. Originally used to ensure reliable land valuation and taxation, today these surveys are mainly used to solve boundary disputes. The boundary mark is important in starting a Cadastral survey job. This is because the coordinate as well as bearing and distance is a necessity to start the survey job in determining all the boundary of a new or existing parcel. One of the common issues in starting a new cadastral survey job is finding the location of the work site or lot parcel. It may take a long time to refer on the certified plan and locate the site manually. The surveyor may take time to go and find the location of the work site only by referring the certified plan especially in the area that not really familiarize with it. They may take a few days in locating the area. They also need to find the land owner to conform the location of the lot parcel. Therefore, using this new portable GPS that has been integrated with cadastral GIS database, it can help surveyor to save their time to reach at lot parcel. This automatically saves their time in locating the boundary mark. It helped surveyor when the lot parcel now can also be navigated in this portable GPS. Therefore, in this paper will study on the integration of land parcel data in the Malaysian Cadastral database (PDUK) into GPS system to assist surveyor in locating parcel location based lot number of the land.

A review of WEB - based GIS for visualization of George Town, Penang sustainability as world heritage site

Integration of the Geographical Information System (GIS) technology and various applications are able to contribute towards reconstructing the dynamic of representation in GIS visualization. WEB-based GIS visualization users like architects, planners, landuse planners and urban designers are capable to visualize the effect of urban, proposed and zoning landuse. Its also capable to predict the results of smart growth initiatives for sustainable development to be achieved. Therefore this paper will review and discuss on how the GIS and other combined techniques are potentially into modeling a WEB-based GIS visualization of the real heritage world. This paper will focus on the discussion in establishing the WEB-based GIS together with visualization towards sustainable development of George Town (not “Georgetown” as most people used and tend to spell it) as world heritage site while application from this WEB-based is capable to become a tool for sustainable development of George Town as world heritage site. It is expected that by using WEB-based GIS many users are capable to analyst the categories of heritage building in George Town, in terms of non - heritage building or heritage building and so on. Therefore it is believed that WEB-based GIS is capable to become efficient tools to be use in supporting the process of such as data sharing, decision making, manipulation of data information and map for George Town as the world heritage site.

Contribution of GIS and remote sensing technologies for managing foodborne diseases in Malaysia

Foodborne diseases (e.g. cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and Hepatitis A) are still considered a threat to human health and economy of a country. The cooperation among governments, the food industries and consumers are essential in order to control the diseases effectively. These emerging diseases can be controlled by implementing an effective technology application and innovation. Geographical information system (GIS) and satellite remote sensing are not new technologies in the world, but their applications in Malaysia particularly in the field of health are not used widely although the technologies have potential in providing a holistic system for public health care and epidemiology. This study was to demonstrate practically the implementations of GIS and remote sensing technologies in managing cholera control plan as a foodborne disease in the country. Initially, it showed that the technologies could be applied in three operations; i) interactive mapping of cholera disease, ii) analyzing dynamic changes for cholera transmission risk system, and iii) a framework for public healthcare management system. These potential contributions of technologies in health hopefully could be beneficial to the epidemiologist and public health staffs of MOH institutions toward creating an efficient MyGeoHealth (Malaysian Geospatial and Health) approach.