The use of GIS in the Central Bureau of
Statistics (CBS), Namibia
By
Mrs Ottilie M Mwazi
Chief Statistician, Survey,
Cartography/GIS
Email: omwazi@npc.gov.na
TeL: +264 61 283 4060
Outline for presentation
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Namibia Administrative set up
Implementation of GIS At CBS
Use of GIS during 2011 Census mapping
Why dwelling Frame
Tools for enumerators
Other use of GIS in planning
Administrative Set Up
•Namibia has a land area of
about 824 000 square
kilometers
•The country is divided into
13 administrative regions
•Regions are divided into
constituencies (107 in total
for all regions)
•The biggest region has 12
constituencies
•Constituencies are
demarcated based on
population size
•EAs are demarcated within
constituency boundaries
Implementation of GIS at CBS
• GIS was implemented for 2001 census mapping to
produce digital maps for 2001 census enumeration
• Data warehouses using existing spatial data from
various sources were created
• Spatial data needed for census undertaking was
extracted and GIS database was created
• The GIS has made it possible to retrieve, update, link
(census/survey data to the geography), query the
database, print maps on based on any theme, etc.
• GIS Dissemination Tool was created up to
constituency level
2001 Census Mapping
• The country was
demarcated into
unique geographical
areas known as
enumeration areas
• GPS (handheld and
differential) were used
during fieldwork
• GIS was used to
delineate EAs boundary
GIS and 2011 census mapping
PROCESS: A summarized process of 2011 Census mapping
methodology with creation of a Dwelling Unit Frame
Step 1
Step 2
Aerial
photographs/
satellite images
acquired
Structures
captured from
images in GIS in
the office
Step 5
Step 6
Field workers sent
in the field to
capture the
location of, &
other information
relating to, all the
dwelling units in
country using
PDAs
Captured
information will
be verified and
stored in a GIS
database, and a
verified Dwelling
Unit Frame will
be created
Step 3
Un-verified dwelling
unit frame created
and EAs demarcated
Step 4
Field maps with
dwelling unit
numbers
produced
Step 7
Step 8
Demarcation of
EAs will be done
in the office.
Final EA maps
for 2011
Population &
Housing Census
enumeration
will be produced
Step 5: Fieldwork methodology
 Field workers are being deployed in the field to verify the dwelling unit
frame
 They are provided with maps and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) “a
Juno”
 They visit each dwelling/building
 For each dwelling, information such as: Owner’s Name, Head of
households, street names, Erf numbers, place names, etc are being
captured into a PDA
 The data capture on the PDA will then be downloaded and stored in the
database.
 Database will be send to HQ for verification , updates and then added to
final database at HQ.
 Printing of census Enumeration maps will then commerce (Step 7 & 8).
Used Personal Digital Assistant PDA
Example of rural EA
Example Urban EA
Why dwelling frame
 Know where people live:
 It will be useful for Flood Early Warning System
 Will be easy to plan for safe water provision
 Easy to identify communities that walk longer
distance to public services (Clinics, School, etc)
 Easier to update dwelling units than households
 Improve data dissemination at lower geographical
areas
 Serve our clients better who are planning using
other boundaries e.g. Health, Police,
Headmen/Chiefs traditional authorities, etc.
 Will be easier to estimate population if updated
regularly
Tools given to Enumerators
• Enumeration Area map with numbered
building structures/dwelling units
• List of building names and owner of dwelling
units plus contact person linked to the
building structure/DU number
• Mapping supporting staff to assist with
boundary identification
• A0 size map with all adjacent EAs with other
features such as schools, clinics, roads etc.
GIS and emergency responses
With GIS, and dwelling
frame in place we will be in
position to spatially visualize
dwellings affected by flood:
This will ensure for effective
and efficient emergency
response
 It will also be possible to
quantify the number of
people, households and
homestead affected by flood.
GIS and basic services delivery
With GIS, and dwelling frame in
place we are now in position to
spatially visualize gaps in access
to basic services (health facilities,
schools, clean water) :
Therefore, GIS will play a major
role in the process of planning
and locating of new basic facilities
GIS and spatial analysis
With GIS, we could geo-statistically
analyze the pattern of Human
Development Index (HDI) and map
out the outliers and clusters
We could also
map out the hot
and cold spots
of HDI
Human Development Index
End of presentation
Thank you for your attention!!