GIS for Community Development

GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

WHAT DOES GIS STAND FOR?

Hardware and Software

Data

Mapping Standards

GIS Savvy Users

GIS

Geographic Information Systems often defined as a computerized database management system for

capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data. - www.cml.upenn.edu/what_is_gis.htm

Sometimes referred to as method of digital mapping that links data to it’s physical location.

HOW GIS WORKSGIS breaks anything that has a

geographic location into:

Vector Data: Points - GPS points, address points,

tree locations, etc. Lines – rivers, railroads, streets,

corridors, etc. Polygons – political boundaries, lakes,

building footprints, etc.

Image ource: www.esri.com 2013

HOW GIS WORKS

Features are stored as layers and are layered on top of the first one to show spatial patterns and relationships

Image source: www.esri.com 2013

GIS is in reality nothing more than a large database with a geographic component.

The power behind GIS is in the attributes attached to the features...allows for more complex analysis based on more than just geographic location.

WHY USE GIS?Layer the different datasets to do geographic analysis (analysis based on

geographic location)

Map Where Things Are – parks, sidewalks, groceries, bus stops

Map Quantities - population

Map Densities – population density (how many people per square mile)

Find What’s Inside – How many people (groceries, parks, trails) inside a neighborhood (town, county, study area).

Find What’s Nearby – How many bus stops (green spaces, crimes) are located or were reported within a 10 minute walking distance of a neighborhood (school, store, university)

Map Change – urban sprawl, zoning changes

source: www.esri.com 2013

WHY USE GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT?• To show relationships among several factors or issues within a community.

• To show you where to concentrate your efforts.

• To better understand the community you are working in by providing a picture of the area’s assets or weaknesses.

• Because it’s fast: GIS is the quickest and most efficient method of creating maps and graphics that provide a picture of not only the geographic, but of the social, demographic, environmental, political, and other aspects of an area as well.

• GIS maps make powerful presentation tools.

• GIS maps can help influence policy.

Source: KU Work Group for Community Health and Development. (2014). Chapter 3, Section 10: Conducting Concerns Surveys. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas. Retrieved January 2, 2014, from the Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-ne...

WHO USES GIS?• Government Agencies (from small municipalities to federal government)

• Health and Human Services Agencies

• Community Involvement Groups (i.e.., watch dog groups, activists, advocates)

• Environmental Agencies

• Researchers and Educators

• Policy Makers and Community Developers

• Corporations and Firms

Source: KU Work Group for Community Health and Development. (2014). Chapter 3, Section 10: Conducting Concerns Surveys. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas. Retrieved January 2, 2014, from the Community Tool Box: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-ne...

DATA

What makes data “spatial”?

Must have a geographic component Address Lat/Long coordinates Tied to a location such as a state, city, region, service area, census block.

When should you create and share maps of your data?

Only if it enhances the data and makes it easier for users to understand and comprehend!! A picture is worth a thousand words!

YOUR DATA• GPS

• Georeferencing - a historic map or image

• Geocoding addresses

• Heads-up-digitizing

• Analysis tools with GIS software

• Mobile mapping – cellphones, tablets

• Upload from a database (Excel, Access, etc.)

• Stream from Twitter or other social media

ONLINE DATA AND MAPPING:• Local County GIS offices

• IndianaMap (or other state clearinghouse)

• Census.gov (google “American Factfinder”)

• Indiana Spatial Data Portal

• SAVI (IUPUI Polis Center)

• Census.gov

• The National Map

• National Historic GIS – historic census data in a GIS format.

• HUD.gov

• NOAA

• Community Commons

• Center for Disease Control (CDC)

GIS SOFTWARE AND ONLINE MAPPING APPS

ESRI ARCGIS DESKTOP

Free Version:ArcGIS Explorer Desktop:http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer-desktop

LOCAL COUNTY GIS WEBSITES

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Default.aspx

INDIANAMAP

http://www.indianamap.org/

STATS INDIANA

http://www.stats.indiana.edu/maptools/interactive.asp

COMMUNITY COMMONS

http://www.communitycommons.org/maps-data/

GOOGLE MAPSCreate and share maps in a matter of minutes by uploading your own database with records tied to a location (address, lat/long).

http://maps.google.com

ARCGIS ONLINE

ArcGIS.com - http://www.arcgis.com/home/gallery.htmlImage source: www.esri.com 2013

Upload your own data, or create it in ArcGIS Online, user data created and shared by others, create map applications and share and/or embed on your own webpage.

Thousands of user created datasets to choose from.

Free and subscription versions available.

QUESTIONS?

Contact:Angela GibsonGIS Specialist

Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection

asgibson2@bsu.edu285-1097