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The students were shown a graphical representation of how different layers of Town Planning-related information can be combined to aid decision-making.
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Regional and Town Planning specialists, Urban Dynamics - in conjunction with GIS Global Image, a resident at The Innovation Hub - recently introduced a group of 70 first-year Town Planning students from the University of Pretoria to the industry during a one-day 'crash course' that they hosted for the students at The Innovation Hub.
The students were treated to presentations by representatives from both companies about what a career in Town Planning entails and the roles of innovation and technology in effective Regional and Town Planning.
According to Lynette Groenewald of Urban Dynamics, the day was really about exposing the students to the industry from a different perspective. "It was more to build their enthusiasm than to go into the technical details. We showed them what Town Planning is about from our perspective - what is required, and how innovation is assisting us as Town Planners", she continues.
This was achieved by talking to the students about a number of joint projects between Global Image and Urban Dynamics on behalf of various Local Authorities and development consortiums. One such project is Doornkuil in the Midvaal area. This development consists of around 18 000 stands, with a complete infrastructure, including churches, schools and shopping centres. The students were shown how different sets of data need to be integrated - from surveyors' base plans to geologists' studies, spatial development frameworks from the council and aerial photographs, to name a few.
"What Global Image does is to combine various sets of information into one consolidated map which assists us to make better decisions. It's imperative that Town Planning students understand how technology can help them to place planning projects in context and deliver a more sustainable product or living environment. Our most important message to the students was that Town Planners really have a great responsibility to plan with integrity and foresight and we must use the tools that are available to help us to do that", says Groenewald.
Erina Otto from Global Image spoke to the students about an integrated system the company has developed for a few Local Authorities that integrates all existing sets of information within council. An example would be the link between a debtors dataset that resides with the Financial Department, with the location of land provided by the Town Planning department. The combination of this can provide a map where different colours indicated areas where payment backlogs reside. This is a way to identify problem areas which can help the council to resolve issues using a proactive approach.
Groenewald also says that, in addition to the lessons on the benefits of innovation and technology for the Town Planner, the two companies had a very basic message to convey to their guests. ""Take responsibility for your role in creating better living environments".
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