The GIS Center is constituted and run as per Dubai Law No.6 of 2001. In brief, it may be stated that the GIS Center is charged with sole authority over all geo-referenced data in and for the Emirate of Dubai, in the matters of setting standards, dissemination, collation & compilation, etc
Law No. (6) of 2001
Concerning
Geographical Information Systems Center of Dubai Municipality
We, Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (Late ruler of Dubai)
Upon the requirements of unification and integration of the geographical information in the Emirate of Dubai. And upon the proposal of His Highness the Chairman of Dubai Municipality.
issued the following Law:
Article (1)
The following terms and words shall, unless otherwise required by the context, have the meanings set forth against them respectively:
Emirate: The Emirate of Dubai.
Municipality: Dubai Municipality.
Center: The Geographical Information Systems Center at the Municipality.
Geographical Information and Data: The information having geographical reference (i.e. coordinate information).
Digital Information: Electronic maps or plans shown as pixels (Raster) as in pictures taken from the air or shown as point, lines or polygons (Vector) as in topographical information.
Descriptive Information: Attributes, Provisions, symbols or numbers showing the properties of Digital Information.
Article (2)
The Geographical Information Systems Center at Dubai Municipality shall be considered a sole official source of the following'
1- To compile basic and detailed Digital and Descriptive Geographical Information of the Emirate from the various local departments, authorities, public corporations, persons and companies operating in the Emirate. The Center in this capacity shall be responsible for the protection and maintenance of such information and data, and for establishing technical restrictions regulating its relationship with the said parties, in all the matters relating to such information and data, in agreement and cooperation between the Center and the said authorities.
2- To provide Geographical Information and Data (within the scope of the agreements and memoranda of understanding between the Center and the authority by which such information and data is issued) to any party wishing to avail from such information and data. This shall include Digital and Descriptive Data such as corrected photographs taken from the air, satellite photographs, three-dimensional digital model, topographical and geodetic information, development planning information, building legislations, titling information, road, sewage and irrigation network, electricity, water and telephone lines network, and other public facilities.
Article (3)
The authorities referred to in the previous Article shall provide the Center, electronically and by the most modern technologies available, with the Digital and Descriptive Data and Information relating to the geographical information systems approved by and available with such authorities, or those created or developed by them.
Article (4)
With reservation of the title of each authority to the information and data created by it, the product technically organized by the Center by means of the information and data of the Center, shall consist an integrated unit owned by the Municipality. The product may not be used by any beneficiary authority for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is provided with the product. No beneficiary authority shall make any alteration or addition to the product without obtaining a written permission to do so from the Municipality.
Article (5)
The provisions of this Law shall not apply to photography and map drawing works and projects relating to security and defense requirements of the Armed Forces.
Article (6)
Without prejudice to any other penalties provided for in any other law:
1- To be punished by imprisonment and fine in an amount not exceeding Dirham thirty thousand, or by either penalty, every person who uses the Geographical Information and Data for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is designated, any person who makes any alteration or addition to the same, any person who sells, distributes, publishes or publicizes any of such Geographical Information and Data without obtaining permission to do so from the Municipality.
2- The convicted person shall be adjudged by a supplementary penalty equal to the amount of damage resulting from the crime. The amount of such penalty shall inure to the treasury of the Municipality.
Article (7)
The Director General of the Municipality shall issue the implementing regulations of this Law.
Article (8)
The order issued on 26 May 1997 appointing the Survey Section in the Municipality as a source of geographical and survey information in the Emirate of Dubai shall hereby be revoked.
Article (9)
This Law shall come into effect as of the date of promulgation and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler of Dubai (Late ruler of Dubai)
Issued in Dubai on 16 July 2001
Corresponding to 25 Rabie Thani 1422 H.
