GLOBAL APPLICATIONS
Satellite Image Mapping
Haiti Receives Mapping Assistance to Improve Economic Development
Land use maps are prepared from satellite data that help government officials in Haiti plan
for an economically stable and ecologically sound future.

ERIM International Inc. has developed land use maps prepared from satellite data that help government officials in Haiti plan for an economically stable and ecologically sound future.
     The maps and statistical database were produced by ERIM International Inc., an Ann Arbor-based research and development company, for the United Nations Organization in Haiti. ERIM used 16 images from France's SPOT satellite, which it geocoded, orthorectified, and mosaicked into maps and a database that provide detailed land use and land cover information for the entire country.
     Raymond Laurin, Ph.D., ERIM International's principal investigator for the project, presented the maps to Haitian President Rene Preval, his closest advisors, and several Haitian cabinet ministers. Dr. Laurin said, "The president was very pleased. He knows that accurate information of this kind is essential for planning and development of the Haitian economy, while managing the country's natural resources and preserving its environment."
     Dr. Laurin also conducted a workshop for representatives from various government agencies, showing how the data products could be used for applications such as land use planning, food security, crop statistics and erosion modeling.
     A lack of resources and commitment to long-term economic development has prevented, over the years, the Haitian Geodesic and Mapping Service from updating its map and photo files. This has left the country without an up-to-date set of detailed maps. The new categorized map is crucial to developing resource inventories and land use planning. By utilizing land use maps in tandem with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSARE) mapping technology progress toward genuine economic development is further enhanced. IFSARE - also developed by ERIM International - provides planners with the more precise information they need for small-scale applications like urban planning.
     Dr. Laurin said, "This is a good example of where new systems such as IFSARE for mapping terrain elevation fill a serious gap." He noted that a short presentation to high-level Haitian decision-makers generated extensive interest in IFSARE products, but sources of funding for conducting an IFSARE aerial survey have not yet been identified.
     For more information contact: Ray Laurin, Ph.D., soil scientist, Earth Sciences Group, ERIM; Tel: 313-994-1200, ext. 3331.

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