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Use of Remote Sensing and GIS in Water Resources Management: North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS)

Problem Description / Relevance to Water Security: 

The North-Western Sahara Aquifer System, which stretches over an area of more than one million square kilometers, is shared by Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Due to the structural configuration and climate type of the region, the recharge of the NWSAS is very limited. These aquifer systems represent geological reserves whose natural outlets (springs and foggaras) led to the development of oases where people lived, for centuries ago, in perfect harmony with the Saharan ecosystem.

ICT Application / Outcome: 

As water resources are mainly related to agriculture in the area of interest, a first vegetation mapping was realized based on MODIS time-series NDVI covering the NWSAS area over the last 10 years in order to establish a first vegetation areas inventory, to better understand the spatial distribution and year-to-year variability in irrigated areas.

Results:

Citizen-led Mapping of Urban Metabolism in Cairo

Problem Description / Relevance to Water Security: 

Traffic congestion by the nearly 5 million cars on its roads, coupled with unregistered smelters and other industries, has resulted in Cairo having one of the highest pollution rates of any city second only to Delhi. This will further exacerbate the effects of global climate change, the results of which are projected to include sea level rise into Egypt’s fertile Delta region and freshwater resources growing increasingly scarce from desertification.

ICT Application / Outcome: 

The Project involves El Balad mobilizing citizens through its existing networks and students at Cairo University being trained on adapting and applying public participation techniques, GIS and UMIS, by academic faculty and the EWMP Partnership.