The Norfolk Broads Flood Defences Bolstered By GeoPDF

May 27, 2010 — The Broadland Flood Alleviation Scheme is a long term project to provide a range of flood defence improvements, maintenance and emergency response services within the tidal areas of the rivers Yare, Bure and Waveney.

Broadland Environmental Services Ltd (BESL), a joint-venture between Halcrow and BAM Nuttall Ltd., was chosen by the Environment Agency to undertake this 20 year public private partners project.

As the defences protect 1700 properties and 30,000 hectares of land, the geospatial information is key to the success of this project and that geospatial information must be presented in a clear and easy to understand way.

Broadland Environmental Services Ltd, supported by Quarry One Eleven Ltd., has recently increased the number of Publisher for ArcGIS licences that it owns so that more geospatial information can be transferred and presented in the GeoPDF format. GeoPDF is a geographically aware PDF format that opens within the free Adobe Reader and enables anyone and everyone to use and interact with geospatial data.

Project Manager for Halcrow/BESL, Christian Hetmank said of his company’s use of the GeoPDF files; “On the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project, GeoPDF has found widespread application, for example in the visualisation of ecological and flood mapping data as well as in the planning of environmental surveys. We were amazed about the seamless integration of the Publisher for ArcGIS software with our existing GIS. The introduction of GeoPDF has provided new and exciting possibilities for sharing geospatial data within the company as well as for the presentation of our work to our clients and the general public.“

About Halcrow

Halcrow is an award-winning consultancy that specialises in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide. As one of the largest multi-disciplinary consultancies, Halcrow combines global thinking with local knowledge across transport, water, maritime, property and power commissions in over 90 countries. Halcrow is owned and managed by its employees and staff shareholders, giving them a unique connection with the company and passion for their work. www.halcrow.com

About BAM Nuttall

Royal BAM Group’s three subsidiary companies in the UK, BAM Nuttall, BAM Construct UK and BAM PPP, deliver a combined turnover of £1.75billion.pa. This positions BAM as one of the top three construction and civil engineering businesses in the UK. The BAM companies cover a full spectrum of activities: facilities management, design services, civil engineering, construction, property development, PFI and PPP and project financing. BAM has a strong regional presence with over 30 offices and plant depots throughout the UK ensuring that t both a local and a national service to our customers. http://www.bamnuttall.co.uk/

About TerraGo Technologies

TerraGo Technologies delivers software applications that extend the access and application of maps and images for non-GIS users and customers. More than 850 organizations, including many defence and intelligence agencies, utility and energy companies, public safety departments and environmental engineering teams depend on TerraGo software. www.terragotech.com