GIS FOR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
WHAT DOES GIS STAND FOR?
 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.
Hardware
and
Software
Data
Mapping
Standards
GIS Savvy
Users
GIS
HOW GIS WORKS
GIS 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-communityne...
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-communityne...
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 MAPS
Create 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
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.
ArcGIS.com - http://www.arcgis.com/home/gallery.html
Image source: www.esri.com 2013
QUESTIONS?
Contact:
Angela Gibson
GIS Specialist
Ball State University Libraries
GIS Research and Map Collection
asgibson2@bsu.edu
285-1097