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LOURENS DU PLESSIS (PrGISc)
Portfolio of Services
I provide professional Geographical Information Systems (GIS) services to a wide range of clients that
require the processing, analysis and presentation of geospatial data. My primary function is the
application of GIS in environmental management, development planning and spatial modelling, but
my services often extend to a much broader range of business sectors.
SPECIALISED SERVICES include:
Data sourcing and acquisition Data capture and processing Data evaluation, conversion and transfer Geodatabase development, implementation and maintenance System design and development Spatial analysis/modelling (visibility, slope, aspect, shadow, surface, raster, proximity,
network, etc.) Digital terrain modeling Terrain evaluation and site screening Image processing and analysis Impact assessment and impact management Environmental management GIS-based decision support systems development Project management Map production, display, queries and reporting Environmental sciences expertise Process development Visual impact assessment GPS fieldwork, aerial surveys and drone data processing
I have extensive experience in providing services to all planning professions and INDUSTRIES that require the processing and analysis of geospatial data, including:
Agriculture Bulk service providers and utilities The renewable energy sector Electricity generation and distribution Mining and exploration Urban and rural development planning Conservation and tourism Strategic integrated planning Environmental management and planning Environmental education and social awareness programmes Demographics and statistics Engineering, transport and infrastructure development
The nature of the my work often requires a multi-disciplinary approach. I therefore specialise in creating synergy between planning professionals or project specialists (regardless of the type of project) in order to provide uniform, quality spatial data products and services. KEY FOCUS AREAS, more detailed descriptions of past projects and samples of my services are provided below.
CUSTOM MAPS AND GIS SERVICES
I specialise in the production of custom maps, created from information sourced from field
work, captured from satellite images or provided in various formats by the client. I pride
myself in the creative visualisation of spatial data in order to make maps exciting,
informative and easy to interpret. Included below are samples of maps created for game
reserves, a WULA (Water Use Licence Application) map, line of sight visibility analysis and 3D
(perspective) views of landfills and mine dumps.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMMES
I provide specialist input and quality map products focused on the expansion of knowledge
of environmental and geographical issues. More than often the budgets for these projects
are lacking, or non-existent. My passion for the environment and geography has led me to
provide pro-bono GIS services to approved institutions or worthy causes. Some maps
published, or information posters shown below include colourful maps of the Prince Edward
and Marion Islands for the World Heritage Site bid document, a spatial database and poster
for Birdlife SA, a Water Wise information poster and Sappi Tree Spotting maps.
CONSERVATION: INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND RESOURCE MAPPING
The primary objective of Integrated Management Planning (IMP) is to establish a coherent
spatial framework in and around a nature reserve (or conservation area) to guide and co-
ordinate conservation, tourism and visitor experience initiatives. A key part of the IMP is the
zoning plan. The zoning plan (a legislated requirement of the Protected Areas Act) is based
on an analysis and mapping of the sensitivity and value of a reserve’s biophysical, heritage,
scenic resources and an assessment of the reserve’s current and planned infrastructure and
tourist products.
LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT AND TERRAIN EVALUATION
The methodology for the assessment of the landscape/land use character for an area
includes an investigation into the topography of the region, the terrain morphology, the
broad land cover and land uses, and a visual assessment aimed at determining the visual
exposure within the region. Individual data categories are evaluated, rated and merged in
order to determine the landscape value or scenic quality index. The result of this index is
further analyzed in order to identify zones with similar characteristics and to provide
management guidelines for each zone.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS
An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) is a legal instrument in terms of the
Environmental Management Framework Regulations, 2010. The purpose of an EMF is to
assist environmental impact management including EIA processes, spatial planning and
sustainable development. In practical terms it is a study of the biophysical and socio-cultural
systems of an area to reveal where specific land uses may best be practised and to offer
performance standards for maintaining appropriate use of such land. I have provided
specialised GIS services and environmental sciences expertise for numerous EMF projects
within South Africa and Namibia.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING, SITE SELECTION AND SENSITIVITY MAPPING
Developers benefit greatly from pro-active environmental screening or feasibility studies
that aid in identifying environmental constraints that may influence developments. South
African environmental legislation enforces strict controls that prescribe feasibility studies to
be undertaken prior to the approval of development plans. The environmental screening
exercise culminates in a composite sensitivity index that highlights those areas within the
study area that may potentially be sensitive to development. The result of this normally
informs the site selection and design process.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) focuses on evaluating the opportunities that the
environment has to offer to development and the constraints that it imposes. The SEA
process is therefore a proactive process to guide and assist development planning and to
offer decision support. Besides my involvement in general SEAs, I have also developed and
designed a custom Wind SEA for the placement of Wind Energy Facilities (WEF) in the
Western Cape Province. This GIS based decision support tool is used extensively to evaluate
applications for WEFs and acts as an environmental checklist for Environmental Impact
Assessments (EIAs) undertaken for WEFs.
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Development planning provides direction and control to realise development through policy
and guidelines. All levels of government are supported by planning tools such as spatial
development frameworks (SDF’s) and planning schemes, all of which operate from a strong
geospatial base. Integrated development planning involves other disciplines such as
environmental management, disaster risk management and engineering.
Geospatial technologies provide the entry point to link planning activities within these
domains on a shared platform of geospatial databases.
VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
I have undertaken over a 100 Visual Impact Assessments (VIAs) for a wide variety of
projects. Certain activities, listed under the National Environmental Management Act
(NEMA), will trigger Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). The VIA forms part of the EIA
report and includes an Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) that is
submitted to the relevant authority for environmental approval/authorisation. Indicated
below are samples of some maps and analyses undertaken during the VIA process.
Activities or developments include: waste water treatment plants, open cycle gas turbines,
photovoltaic/CSP solar energy facilities, overhead power lines, hydroelectric plants, wind
energy facilities, coal mining and power stations.
GIS-BASED DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
GIS projects often require the design and development of a GIS-based interface or spatial
data viewer. This aids decision makers, developers and officials in making informed
decisions, based on current and accurate spatial data. I develop custom reporting
functionality and interface (as per the requirements of the client) and provide training on
the basic features and utilisation of the viewer. The sample below (centre) indicates the
typical interface of an EMF viewer as supplied to the Department of Environmental Affairs.
SPECIALISED SITE MAPS AND GIS SERVICES
I produce high quality maps for site, land owner and project phasing. I specialise in the
creation of development envelope maps and am an expert at site-level multi-criteria spatial
analyses. My services are often utilised within the renewable energy sector (e.g. wind
energy) where strict layout and design conditions are applicable. The centre sample map
below indicates the development envelope created for the Cookhouse II WEF, where
exclusion areas (e.g. sensitive avifauna, heritage and ecological features) and infrastructure
buffers were applied.
TOURISM
I have published a number of maps in tourist guides, map books and atlases. The most
notable is the Pilanesberg Official Map and Park Guide published by Jacana Media. Other
collaborations with this publisher include: KwaZulu-Natal - A Celebration of Diversity,
Garden Route – Still Bay to Storms River (Discover the Magic) and The Lowveld and Kruger
Guide.
I have also teamed up with Andy and Lorraine Tinker (ATP Publishers) to release the Kruger
National Park Map and Photographic Guide and the Gateway to the Kruger Map and Guide.
DRONE DATA PROCESSING
I provide post flight data processing, analysis and mapping services for data remotely “sensed” from UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drones). Drones offer a quick and cost-effective alternative for mapping and surveying projects, without a marked loss in accuracy, quality and resolution. Applications include:
• Precision farming (vegetation indexes) • Mining, quarrying and landfills (surveying, contour mapping, volume calculations) • GIS (aerial imagery, ortho-mosaics, 3D models) • Environmental and disaster management (game counts, rapid disaster impact
assessments and monitoring) I can commission flights for your study area, route alignment or area of interest.
Lourens du Plessis t/a LOGIS
Professional Geographical Information Science Practitioner (PrGISc)
Registered with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC)
Registration No. PGP0147
531 Witogie Street
Die Wilgers, Pretoria
PO Box 384, La Montagne, 0184
Mobile: 082 922 9019
www.logis.co.za
GeoSpatial Data Processing - Analysis - Presentation