Regional Training on Spatial Data Infrastructure and Coastal Morphodynamics in Tunisia

Within the framework of  the "Climate Variability and Change and ICZM" project, a three day training on Spatial Data Infrastructure and Coastal Morphodynamis was organized from 3 to 5 June 2014, in Tunis, led by Plan Bleu, University of Geneva and the support of GWP-Med.

More than 15 participants including climate engineers from Tunisia and Morocco and the representatives from the organizing institutions attended the training. The main aim was to build capacity for setting up their own institutional Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) for sharing in a standardized way, their metadata and geospatial data through web services in the context of the project’s MedICIP Platform.

The training was largely based on practice and exercises. The first part tackled "Bringing GEOSS Services into Practice" Participants learnt  how to install, configure and deploy various open source technologies for publishing and sharing spatial data in accordance with the OGC and ISO standards.

The second part revolved around a better understanding of spatial data visualization, analysis, and downloading in an open source environment. UNEP-Grid experts also presented the MedCIP platform for Climate Change data sharing, its features and its development steps.

“This training was an opportunity for us to go through all these techniques. It was a very useful platform for exchange. I am sure that using them will enable us to reach a wider audience,” said Hassan Arid, Chief of project and Senior Engineer from CRTS in Morocco, participating to the training.

The third part of the training focused on coastal morpho-dynamics and the risks related to sea-level rise threatening the Mediterranean coasts and beyond. It trained participants on the use of a friendly integrated software toolbox, to provide estimates on beach retreat/erosion under sea-level rise. PAP/RAC shared their experiences in the assistance provided to the Mediterranean countries to implement coastal set back areas in order to adapt and take action regarding those risks. 

Another similar training will be organized soon in September 2014, facilitated by UNEP-MAP, Plan Bleu, PAP-RAC and GWP-Med.