BUILDING YOUR GIS FROM THE GROUND UP

Approaches and tools may vary, but the basic building blocks for local government geographic information systems (GIS) are the same. The model for most city and county systems is a multipurpose, enterprise-wide system, based on large-scale map data, centered on parcel information with overlays and linkages to other land-related data and databases. This enterprise model supports the wide range of applications typically performed by a local government. GIS implementation involves designing, acquiring, installing, and implementing the necessary data, software and hardware, and ensuring that the correct people and procedures are involved. For many years, the prescribed approach for building a local government GIS was to directly apply the model and implementation process for the entire system. Today, many cities and counties are looking for alternatives that fit the realities of their situations, implementing single, low-cost, high-priority applications rather than comprehensive systems. Like models and equipment, management strategies are crucial to the success of any GIS project. They include cost-benefit and risk analysis, coordinating GIS participants, communication, leadership and support, management and control, personnel issues, data access, and timing. Sidebars highlight GIS development, satellite imagery for GIS, small-scale GIS applications, urban forest GIS, and county tax GIS.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0149337X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page Range: pp 24-27, 30-31, 36-37, 40-41
• Corporate Authors:

  Intertec Publishing Corporation

  6151 Powers Ferry Road, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30339-2941
• Authors:
  • Somers, R
• Publication Date: 1998-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 10 p.
• Serial:
  • American City & County
  • Volume: 113
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0149-337X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cities; Counties; Geographic information systems; Local government; Management; Mathematical models; Systems engineering
• Uncontrolled Terms: Models
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00750529
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 25 1998 12:00AM