A web-based GIS portal for simulating geodetic control networks in Republic of Kenya

Abstract

Geodetic networks development begun in Kenya and Africa as a whole at the dawn of 20th century. Consequently, enormous geodetic data has been realized. In Kenya, the data was recorded in form of paper trigonometric cards, paper topographic maps, and paper cadastral map sheets and centrally archived in the ministry of lands and physical planning headquarters in Nairobi. This was to assist locate and visualize suitable survey of Kenya geodetic pillar of interest to user. However, the user still has to commute to the headquarters in order to physically acquire coordinate information of any pillar in the country. This circumstance has fabricated a framework that has triggered accumulation of millions of paper records. The effectiveness and efficiency of serving the users is greatly undermined by the manual process. Therefore, an alternative solution is necessary to alleviate dependence on an outdated manual process. As a result, this study sought to fill this gap by designing a web geoportal for management of geodetic control networks and user access which incorporates making of payments of coordinates in different systems remotely. The geoportal comprises of an integration of a database management system, a server configuration and a website with an automated data access through a payment gateway. Java scripts and python programming languages were used. The final platform has the following capabilities: spatial visualization, co-ordinates system conversion, online payment, and request and access of data remotely. We foresee that the system will aid the ministry of lands and physical planning to disseminate geodetic information to users efficiently and effectively while tracking revenue payments.

Keywords

• geodetic control network
• web gis
• geoportal
• payment gateway