Free GIS tools online
The May 31 entry on the weblog for Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC) is recommending several free online databases that organize information by location -- also known as "Geographic Information Systems" (GIS). The writers' favorite is the Dataplace service from Knowledgeplex.
As the LSNC people note, GIS approaches to information are becoming popular with official planners. HUD has been doing extensive work of this type since the mid-'90s for purposes that include housing project policing and community planning -- as becomes clear from a search on the word "GIS" at HUDUSER. The HUDUSER offerings include an 18-megabyte Power Point presentation that explains with nifty graphics how overlays of GIS data allow planners to compare data on diverse topics such as transportation access, flood plain risks, redlining, incentive areas such as Empowerment Zones, access to public utilities, and concentrations of poverty. As usual with Power Point presentation slides, it's a pity these don't come with audio, but even the slides by themselves are eye-openers regarding current use of this futuristic tool.
As the LSNC people note, GIS approaches to information are becoming popular with official planners. HUD has been doing extensive work of this type since the mid-'90s for purposes that include housing project policing and community planning -- as becomes clear from a search on the word "GIS" at HUDUSER. The HUDUSER offerings include an 18-megabyte Power Point presentation that explains with nifty graphics how overlays of GIS data allow planners to compare data on diverse topics such as transportation access, flood plain risks, redlining, incentive areas such as Empowerment Zones, access to public utilities, and concentrations of poverty. As usual with Power Point presentation slides, it's a pity these don't come with audio, but even the slides by themselves are eye-openers regarding current use of this futuristic tool.
posted by Martha Bridegam at 9:20 PM
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