Mapping Unit and its role in the Planning Directorate

Abstract

Malta, considered a developing country, has developed considerably in the last few decades. This continuous development gives rise to a necessity for new topographic surveys of the Maltese Archipelago. The last survey conducted for the 1/2500 scale was completed in 1968 and for 1/2500 scale in 1962 and was revised in 1984. The Mapping Unit was officially opened in 1988, as part of the Works Department, to produce and process topographic data. This Unit presently forms part of the Planning Directorate. Its products are used by the Directorate itself, Government Departments and a wide range of other clients. Since its formation the Mapping Unit has completed a 1/2500 scale survey of the Maltese Islands, using aerial photos taken in 1988. Currently it is in the process of compiling a 1/1000 scale topographic survey of the Islands. The report: The aim of this report is to achieve a way of having a good balance between the currency and the validity of data requirements of the Planning Directorate. It was mainly compiled using consultations with each section of the Directorate, refer to Chapter 4, and the conclusions drawn are only relevant to the needs of the Directorate. The consultations included meetings with members of the sections including discussions of : 1. the source and use of data 2. completeness - the coverage of data 3. metric and topographic accuracy 4. currency of data requirements 4. attribute accuracy - geographical data associated with other data 5. logical consistency