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

lourens@logis.co.za

www.logis.co.za

GeoSpatial Data Processing - Analysis - Presentation