GeoInformation for Sustainable Urban Management and Resilience (GeoSUMR) promotes the use of geospatial tools and information by decision-makers in second-tier cities in the developing world in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban infrastructure and service delivery through the use of an integrated approach to planning. GeoSUMR includes: (1) workshops for urban professionals and civil society to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experience on the use of geospatial tools and information; (2) capacity building through training of urban professionals and civil society in the use of geospatial tools, information collection, and the application of geoinformation to improve urban management; and (3) pilot projects linked to increasing urban sustainability. The next workshop for capacity-building and outreach will be held in Casablanca, Morocco and will include both hands-on training and the exchange of ideas and experience. To support development of a network of citizens and professionals engaged in urban planning, the workshop also will provide participants with continued access to workshop materials, resources and each other through a website.

3.1       The Geoinformation for Sustainable Urban Management and Resilience (GeoSUMR) Project Plan

3.1.1    Obligations of AAG under the GeoSUMR Project

a)     AAG shall carry out and implement the GeoSUMR Project to promote the use of geospatial tools and information by decision-makers in intermediate sized cities in the developing world. This includes Information Technologies (IT) such as remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and web-based mapping tools.  The goal of this initiative is to harness the power of these information technologies in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban infrastructure and service delivery by linking infrastructure planning to both the natural resources and social characteristics of these rapidly growing urban centers.

b)     The program supports several types of activities including: (1) workshops for urban professionals to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experience on the use of geospatial tools and information; (2) capacity building through training of urban professionals in intermediate-sized cities in the use of geospatial tools, information collection, and the application of geoinformation to improve urban management; and (3) research and pilot projects linked to geotechnology applications.

c)     Using the output of the separately funded Ecocitizen Map pilot project as a basis, and in conjunction with Ecocity Builders, GeoSUMR will develop a workshop where ideas and experience with geospatial applications will focus on the use of maps, reports and associated geospatial tools including urban metabolism flows and geodesign, in the process of sustainable urban/community planning and design. Workshop attendees will include not only citizen data collectors from the ecocitizen map project, but also community leaders and/or elected representatives, urban planning professionals, and local government institutions and organizations. Workshop trainers could include national, regional, and international experts. The workshop will be designed to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience, including a discussion of the map that is developed, providing the participants with information on the broader application of geospatial tools as well as addressing immediate challenges of the urban area providing the pilot.

d)     The workshop is also intended to serve as a model for the development of a network of citizens and professionals engaged in a collaborative urban planning process. The project partners expect to achieve this by providing the workshop participants with continued access to the materials and resources provided in the course of the workshop. They will also facilitate ongoing communication among the participants, as this network of engaged citizens and professionals evolves. The provision of continued access to resources is expected to support the workshop participants, as they share their newly acquired skills and experience with colleagues in their various networks. This dissemination of expertise will ensure the sustainability of the overall effort.

3.1.2    Implementation Schedule

3.1.2.1 The GeoSUMR Project consisting of workshop development and implementation will be performed in four (4) phases over one (1) year.

3.1.3    Responsibility/Activity Owner under the GeoSUMR Project: 

  • Workshop development and implementation: AAG as lead in collaboration with, US Department of State, Esri, Ecocity Builders, and potential local partner organizations.
    • Development of workshop materials: AAG as lead in collaboration with Esri and Esri local distributors, Ecocity Builders, Ushahidi, Trimble, and others.

3.1.4    Scope of Work

3.1.4.1 The GeoSUMR Project Scope of Work to be implemented by AAG for the Eye on Community Sustainability and Resilience Special Initiative, covering broad areas of cooperation comprises the following:

Phase 1:

  • Two (2) months duration: Fall 2013
    • Development of workshop framework: the project partners will collaboratively determine the length of the workshop, its location, the intended participants, their number, and the best suited facilitators, including a key local organizational contact.
    • Development of workshop technical content: Once the location and target participants have been determined, the project partners will collaboratively develop content best suited to address the capacity needs of the participants.

Phase 2: 

  • Five (5) month duration: November 2013 – March 2014
    • Identification and invitation of workshop trainers and speakers
    • Identification and invitation of participants
    • Identification and booking of venue for training and hotel for participants

Phase 3: 

  • Nine (9) month duration: November 2013 – July 2014
    • Develop training and presentation materials for workshop, including output from the Ecocitizen Map project, Esri applications, and AAG training and educational materials.

Phase 4:

  • Two (2) months duration: September-October 2014
    • Implementation of workshop

3.1.5    Expected Outcomes

3.1.5.1 The expected outcomes of the GeoSUMR Project for 2014 Eye On Earth Summit: 

  1. All training materials and resources provided in the course of the workshop (including but not limited to: the Ecocitizen Map, Esri applications, and AAG training and educational materials).
  2. Web resource to facilitate ongoing communication and networking among workshop participants, facilitators, and trainers. This resource is intended also to be used to invite into the communication and community a broader range of urban professionals, as well as citizen stakeholders.
  3. Showcasing the workshop as a model for the development of a network of citizens and professionals engaged in a collaborative urban planning process.
  4. Permanent and evolving project that can be continuously developed and promoted in a range of urban areas.