Our Solution

Timely and accurate data helps decision-makers and authorities plan services better and optimise investments. By engaging with geo-localised data, services are delivered more efficiently, at lower costs, and equitably, to reach greater population segments.

In Bangladesh, many municipalities continue to rely on paper-based data collection and repositories. Much of the country’s data is dispersed. Due to limited integration of national databases, the possibilities for institutions to share information are constrained. The risk of data duplication across sectors and services is high. To tackle these issues, SNV introduced IMIS (Integrated Municipal Information System).

IMIS is a GIS-based information system that integrates spatial data on buildings, roads, drains and containments (septic tanks and pit latrines). Available on the web, IMIS was initially designed to help municipalities and service providers professionalise faecal sludge management services. Today, IMIS integrates wide-ranging data, with the possibility to evolve into a one-stop spatial tool for all municipal services.

As residents’ holding IDs and building footprints are linked up in IMIS, the tool now enables city authorities to manage and monitor different municipality services (water, holding tax, solid waste, trade license, etc.). IMIS facilitates evidence-based decision making and planning for municipal services, in line with the national government’s Smart City initiatives. It also has the potential to create linkages with national databases for health, education, and emergency response. The tool is equipped with a customisable dashboard to monitor key performance indicators and measure for accountability.

IMIS is easy to use. It does not require GIS expertise nor in-house IT support. The tool can be maintained remotely. IMIS has the capability to assign different levels of user roles, and is available as a mobile app. The tool runs on open-source software (PostgreSQL database to store GIS layers; GeoServer to render open maps) and PHP’s framework Laravel for mobile app. The system is likely to be stored at the Government of Bangladesh’s National Data Center under the ICT Division.