Design and Implementation of a Spatial Database for the Abu Dhabi Municipality Geohazard Management System

摘要

One of the major driving forces behind the recent popularization of spatial information is the increasing availability of spatial data from governmental and commercial sources. A large number of spatial data depots, digital geolibraries and spatial data warehouses have been developed or are under development in all sectors of modern society. The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM) recently developed a GIS portal that works as a focal point of information and spatial data-related assets. An important component of this GIS portal is the geohazard information management system (GHIMS), a spatial database system that stores and manages geotechnical, hydrogeological and geophysical data along with interpreted geology, lithology and geohazard risk maps. This paper discusses the approach towards the design and implementation of a spatial database that forms the backbone the GHIMS. All relevant data and information were initially stored in an ESRI geodatabase using a feature based model to maintain consistency and conformity to projection and resolution standards. Configuration controls, attribute domains and topology elements were applied to appropriate feature classes to ensure and maintain data quality standards. Key factors influencing the geodatabase design were data volume, data format and extent of analyses. The geodatabase has feature datasets and raster catalogs that provide geotechnical, geological, and hydrogeological information, and damages related to buildings and infrastructure. The geodatabase also stores intermediary information necessary for generation of geohazard risk maps, such as reclassified rasters, distribution maps, model-builder toolboxes, and tools. The geodatabase was then migrated to the Oracle® Spatial environment. Key assumptions, constraints, and decisions taken during the geodatabase design are also discussed along with factors that may affect the database performance, extendibility, and maintainability.