Space Technology and Geographic Information Systems Applications in adb projects

Contribution of Geographic Information Systems
To highlight the geographic implications of different devel-
opment priorities with the DONRE land use planning 
team, the Conversion of Land-Use Change and its Effects 
land demand allocation model was tested in a pilot appli-
cation. It provided an important preview of where different 
priorities and corresponding land demand projections are 
likely to trigger land conversion in the future, and how 
these changes are associated with the interests of other 
development sectors (e.g., tourism, energy such as hydro-
power), the performance of which depends on intact forest 
ecosystem services, as shown in Figure 11.
Results
Two land conversion maps were produced for the year 
2020. One showed the consequences of traditional 
agricultural expansion, and the second provided a preview 
of future landscape servicing and maximizing the growth 
potential of the hydropower and tourism sectors. Land 
demand allocation modeling was also piloted as part of 
the strategic environmental assessment of the North–
South Economic Corridor Strategy and Action Plan. Both “business-as-usual” and “environmentally 
optimized” land demand scenarios were translated into maps showing areas at risk of land conversion. 
This helped the strategic environmental assessment team identify threatened primary forest patches 
where conservation efforts should be intensified.
Figure 11 Map of Hydropower 
Catchments Overlaid on Areas at Risk of 
Deforestation
Source: Asian Development Bank. n.d. Applying 
Spatial Tools to Support Sustainable Planning in the 
Greater Mekong Subregion. http://www.gms-eoc.
org/uploads/resources/31/attachment/Applying%20
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