Qatar Modernizes National Mapping with ArcGIS and Aerial Technologies

Rising from the Arabian Gulf coastline, Qatar is a nation in motion, where rapid development and sustainability shape every horizon. Beginning in December 2021 and completed in January 2025, the Centre for Geographic Information Systems (CGIS), under the Ministry of Municipality, took a bold step forward to support this work. Tasked with delivering the most accurate and up-to-date geospatial data, CGIS launched a comprehensive initiative to build in-house aerial mapping capabilities—redefining how Qatar captures, analyzes, and shares spatial information across government and society.

The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030, the country’s road map for sustainable development across key sectors: education and health, cultural preservation, economic diversification, and environmental stewardship. By investing in smart infrastructure and digital transformation, Qatar is positioning itself as a regional leader. At the heart of this momentum is geographic information system (GIS) technology, which empowers government agencies to make data-driven decisions in urban planning, resource management, and public services.

Founded in 1991, the Centre for Geographic Information Systems (CGIS) serves as Qatar’s national geospatial authority, delivering integrated spatial data and insights to government agencies. For years, CGIS relied on external providers for aerial surveys and mapping—an approach that led to slow updates, fragmented datasets, an inability to visualize complex environments, and limited control over production timelines and quality.

These challenges were compounded by legacy workflows that leaned heavily on basic 2D mapping and periodic campaigns. As Qatar’s urban landscape evolved rapidly, this infrastructure struggled to support the country’s development goals and the demands of Qatar National Vision 2030.

To address this, CGIS launched a strategic initiative: the Procurement and Execution of Airborne Technology for National Data Capture and Mapping for the State of Qatar. The goal was to build in-house capabilities for acquiring and processing airborne data—reducing dependency on external vendors and ensuring greater agility and accuracy in geospatial production.

A key component of this transformation was the creation of a dynamic, integrated 3D city model within a GIS environment. This would allow CGIS staff and stakeholders to explore multi-resolution 3D data, conduct measurements and analyses, and seamlessly integrate external datasets.

Together, these advances laid the foundation for a powerful common operating picture—streamlining planning and decision-making while building long-term local geospatial capability across Qatar.

To modernize its national mapping program, CGIS partnered with regional engineering firm and Esri partner Khatib & Alami (K&A) to establish a fully integrated aerial data acquisition and production system. This multiyear initiative, launched in late 2021 and completed in early 2025, led to the creation of CGIS’s first aerial mapping division since its inception.

Using newly acquired Diamond DA62 MPP aircraft equipped with a Vexcel UltraCam Osprey 4.1 camera and RIEGL lidar sensors, the project team captured 20 cm nadir imagery across the country, 8 cm oblique imagery for urban centers, and both topographic and bathymetric lidar data for the entire coastline. These datasets formed the backbone of updated orthophotos, vector maps, and 3D city models, all processed in-house by CGIS. 

The aerial survey missions enabled CGIS to deliver high-resolution geospatial products, including true ortho mosaics, 3D city models, and digital elevation models. The integration of airborne lidar and oblique imagery supported advanced visualization and analysis, empowering planners and decision-makers with unprecedented spatial insight.

To manage, analyze, and share these extensive datasets, CGIS implemented a robust GIS infrastructure built on ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Pro. ArcGIS Enterprise provided the secure, scalable platform for publishing and sharing 3D models, imagery catalogs, and applications across government agencies. ArcGIS Pro was used to prepare and publish 3D scene layer packages (SPKs), manage the oriented imagery catalog, and refine elevation data. With the ArcGIS Image Analyst extension, CGIS staff enhanced terrain visualization by editing and smoothing the digital elevation model.

To support 3D modeling workflows, the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension enabled the conversion of CityGML files into Esri geodatabase format and SPKs. It also allowed CGIS to enrich each model with attributes such as address, production date, and building height.

Leveraging these technologies, CGIS developed a detailed 3D city model of Doha, making advanced spatial analysis accessible to planners and stakeholders. Built on vector data captured in DAT/EM photogrammetry software, modeled and textured through Rhino and CityGML workflows, the model was converted into Esri format and published using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise. Through ArcGIS Experience Builder, CGIS delivered an interactive web app that allows users to explore urban features at multiple levels of detail, perform spatial analysis, and integrate external datasets.

These applications transformed raw aerial data into interactive, decision-ready resources for planners and analysts. Complementing the 3D viewer, CGIS built an Oblique Viewer powered by the Oriented Imagery Viewer widget. This tool enabled users to interact with more than 44,000 oblique images, view spatial metadata, and assess image coverage. It added a new dimension to how planners and analysts engage with aerial imagery.

Together, these technologies created a seamless workflow from airborne data capture to GIS-based visualization. Additionally, K&A provided a comprehensive training program that equipped CGIS staff to manage the entire workflow, building long-term in-house geospatial expertise. CGIS now operates a sustainable, scalable mapping program that supports real-time planning, analysis, and national coordination.

With its national mapping program now fully operational, the Centre for Geographic Information Systems (CGIS) has reshaped how spatial data is produced, visualized, and shared across Qatar. The initiative has accelerated planning cycles, improved coordination across agencies, and strengthened the country’s ability to respond to rapid urban growth with confidence and precision.

The 3D city model of Doha has become a foundational asset for urban planning and infrastructure development. It enables planners and decision-makers to visualize the built environment in detail, analyze spatial relationships, and integrate external datasets to support more informed decisions. The model’s flexibility and performance have made it a go-to resource for a wide range of government stakeholders.

Looking ahead, CGIS plans to expand the model to cover additional areas across Qatar and keep it updated through regular aerial data collection. The agency is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to automate vector extraction from imagery and streamline data production. With ArcGIS Reality capabilities, CGIS aims to generate high-quality 3D meshes that support digital twin applications, enabling real-time scenario modeling and smarter infrastructure planning.

By investing in scalable GIS workflows, an aerial division, and internal expertise, CGIS has laid a strong foundation for long-term geospatial leadership. The project not only supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 but also positions the country to lead in smart city development and regional data innovation—meeting the demands of today and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.