What’s a Geographic Information

System?

It’s more than a pretty map.

What’s in a Geographic Information System or GIS ?

Hardware – Servers, Workstations and Desktops

Specialized Software – Commercially Available – MapInfo, Smallworld, ESRI (ArcGIS, ArcView) etc.

A Database of Geospatial Information – Spatial Data and an associated Relational Database

Trained Professionals, Specialists and Informed Users

RIDEM – GIS Map AnalysisUsing Mapping and Tabular Data

Bases

Who’s Using GIS ?(Everybody)

The Feds – FGDC – Federal Geographic Information Committee-(coordination and standards development)

The States – NSGIC- National States Geographic Information Council -(50 state member coordinating committee)

Rhode Island Geographic Information System – (public, private, academia - oversight management and coordinating committee)

What’s the RIGISAn organization of public and private partners in Rhode Island supporting the development and use of GIS technology in Rhode Island.

Public Sector – Federal, State and Municipal Agencies

Academic Institutions – The URI, RIC and Brown

Private Sector – Businesses and Not-for-Profits

The RIGIS Executive Committee – An Oversight Management and Advisory Board

& Municipal Government

RIGIS Executive Committee RepresentationCranston

Providence New Shoreham

South Kingstown

 

Quarterly meetings are open and municipal interests are welcome.Past representation has also included Burrillville, East Greenwich, Newport, and Warwick

RIGIS Guidance, Products and Standards

RIGIS 2005-2010 Strategic Plan

 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - 6

Municipal Government GIS Activity Support and Assistance: Provide support and assistance to Rhode Islands cities and towns for implementing and using GIS technology within municipal government.

Strategy a. Support GIS Activities in Rhode Island’s Cities and Towns by offering technical guidance, implementation models, and standards criteria.

Action: Develop guidelines regarding privacy issues and cost recovery efforts for municipalities engaged in or considering cost recovery for GIS development.

Strategy b. Facilitate cost sharing ventures or partnering opportunities with municipal government entities or private organizations with mutual interests in developing GIS related capabilities, data, or products.

Strategy c. Work together with municipalities and regional government organizations to assist in incorporating GIS data and technology from the local level up to regional or state levels.

Strategy d. Work with Rhode Island’s cities and towns to develop a long-term strategy to incorporate data generated and maintained by municipal government into an expanded RIGIS database.

GI Status in

Rhode Island Cities & Towns

GIS in Town Hall

“It’s not just theTown Planner’s Glitzy Tool Box!”

Using GIS In Town Hall

Board of Canvassers

Tax Assessor

Facilities SitingBuilding/Zoning Permitting

RIDOT-Graphic Visual Display

Deployment StrategiesGIS User Alternatives

Different Strokes for Different Folks (and budgets)

Power Users – Highly Trained GIS Systems Specialists – The Whole Ball of Wax - ArcGIS software, Applications Server Management, Database Administration, IMS Support etc.

Mid-Level Desktop GIS Users –GIS Applications Specialists -ArcView Software with Database Access and Product Output (Map and Analysis) Capabilities

Low End Users – Data Viewing and Basic Query Capabilities -GIS Data Viewers, ArcExplorer, ArcReader, Internet Map Services (IMS), Adobe Acrobat etc.

The RIDEM Internet Map Server Site

http://www.dem.state.ri.us

Places to Go, Things to Do !www.edc.uri.edu - RIGIS Data and GIS Information

www.dem.state.ri.us/maps - RIDEM IMS Site

www.townofgroton.org – Example Small Town (MA) IMS Site

Mark Your Calendar – Monday, June 20th-1:30-3:30, Cranston City Hall- Rhode Island Geographic Forum on Municipal GIS

(Five city and town speakers share their experiences in creating successful municipal GIS services.

The GIS Ballgame’s In the Early Innings

John Stachelhaus RIGIS@Admin.ri.gov 222-6483

?Who’s Up? ?Got Questions?