Geospatial technologies in climate change resilience: opportunity for local SDI interventions in Kenya
Publication Date
2015-06-24Author
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ArticleMetadata
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Abstract/ Overview
Climate change is a challenge of our times, with devastating negative impacts in absence of prompt and realistic interventions. Combating negative impacts of climate change and building resilience arguably require application of current spatial data and information. That is to say, climate change is a spatial phenomenon, and thus effective interventions are subject of Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS). Geospatial technologies enable spatial data capture, processing, analysis and presentations to support intervention decisions. Lately Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), emerged to enhance spatial data inventory, exchange and sharing; thus improving access and availability. The paper aims to explore SDI readiness for County of Siaya and how its status affects climate change resilience interventions at local level in Kenya. The research involved application and adaptation of SERVIR program developed tools for SDI readiness and participant surveys to achieve its aims. Literature reviews on SDI role in climate change, status and challenges of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), nationally and regionally, were reviewed. Results show that devolved governance provides great opportunity for local SDI despite the fact that SDI readiness is low. It also reflects situational analysis, to among others, a USAID-Funded project titled, “Resilience to Climate Change through Building Capacities in SDI for Uptake by Selected County Governments in Lake Victoria Region in Kenya”.