ESIMEAU

Information Technologies for water resources management and modelling in semi-arid areas

Keywords:
Integrated system, world-wide web, GIS, DBMS, numerical modelling, water resources, eutrophication, watersheds, semi-arid areas

Abstract:
The main objective of ESIMEAU is to build the infrastructure of an integrated system to be used as a single decision support system for the management of water related issues. Such an open work platform will embody numerical models and simulators operating on spatial geographic databases, as well as data acquisition and data management tools. The direct beneficiaries are spatial planners and decision makers who will find through such a system, efficient operational facilities in the preparation and the installation of planning and/or emergency measures directly related to water - both as a resource and as a natural hazard in general, and specifically for semi-arid areas. The infrastructure of the integrated system that will be developed in this project could be seen as the first important step of a global process for management modelling and simulation of water resource systems. Since water is one of the important factors in the socio-economic development of any country, ESIMEAU is designed as a generic platform to assist: (i) scientific research team involved in water resources oriented projects (GIS, DBMS, Numerical Modelling), and (ii) spatial planners and decision makers for optimal planning and decision measures related to water (natural as well as sustainable resources, hazards, etc).

Partners:
INRIA (France), FORTH (Greece), Institut de Recherche pour le Development (France), Research Institute for Knowledge Systems (The Netherlands), Ecole Nationale Polytechnique (Lebanon), Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Beyrouth (Lebanon), Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs (Morocco), Office National d'eau potable (Morocco), Centre International des Technologies de l'Environnement de Tunis (Tunisia), ERCIM

Duration:
1. December 1997 - 30 November 2000

ERCIM's role:
Project co-ordinator

Total budget:
1 030 000 Euro

Funding Agencies:
European Commission, INCO DC Programme: 700 000 Euro