Dubai Municipality has completed the Middle East’s first pilot project for surveying waterways and canals using Mobile Mapping technology, deploying the Leica TRK system aboard a vessel fitted out for the purpose.
The pilot project was carried out along Dubai Water Canal in Al Jaddaf, where datasets were captured and 3D models were developed in partnership with specialised firms.
The project marks what Dubai Municipality describes as a contribution to the emirate’s geospatial ecosystem, which it says is among the most efficient in the world.
Dubai Water Canal mapped in 3D as municipality launches mobile mapping pioneer project
The technology is intended to provide spatial data that supports infrastructure sectors, asset management, and urban planning.
“This initiative forms part of Dubai Municipality’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure by developing an integrated geospatial database that supports the emirate’s Digital Twin project and enables government entities to make accurate and timely decisions based on reliable data. The project further reinforces Dubai’s readiness and leadership as a smart and future-focused city while enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of urban management systems,” Eng. Maitha Alnuaimi, Director of the GIS Centre Department at Dubai Municipality said in a statement.
Following the conclusion of the pilot phase, Dubai Municipality said it would expand surveying works to cover waterways across the emirate.
This will be carried out in coordination with relevant government entities in preparation for what the municipality has described as the next operational phase and the broader activation of the project’s outputs.
The municipality said these efforts would support the integration of systems and strengthen the management of the city.




