Towards an advanced mechanism to benefit from information systems in issuance of building permits

Issuing building permits process in Egypt faces many problems and difficulties. These difficulties are a result of many causes which maybe lack of experience in examining documents, the municipal personnel are not suitable to the tasks assigned to them, multiplicity of agencies taking approval on building permits, lack of databases and using traditional methods of accomplishing the work. In order to overcome most of these difficulties, the local government should utilize the new technologies because it has many capabilities and advantages. Geographic information system is a powerful technology that can support the municipalities in implementing their duties. Many municipalities today are using this powerful technology to improve the quality of decision-making, facilitate information sharing among officials and with the public, making municipal information and transactions easily accessible via the internet and make dramatic change in public presentations, reports and municipal web sites. In order to implement and manage the GIS system, some steps must be done to insure the success of the information system. The key factor in developing management strategies for the introduction, implementation, integration, and operation of GIS in any organization is to determine the appropriate role of GIS in the organization and to understand the implications of that role. This paper will discuss and demonstrate the importance of urban development control, the difficulties facing the process of issuing building permits, the importance of GIS in issuing permits and finally importance of developing strategies for the success of implementing and managing GIS in the organization.