GIS In Cities & Counties: A Nationwide Assessment

Lisa Warnecke, Jeff Beattie, Cheryl Kollin, Winifred Lyday, Steve French

Geographic information technology (GIT) is a powerful tool for local governments in meeting long-term strategic planning and management challenges. The information from a geographic information database helps in a broad array of applications such as comprehensive planning, zoning, transportation, utilities, flood management, urbanization (and its impact on the environment) and the use of demographics in making public policy. It provides a heightened awareness of the interdependency among environmental, social and economic health and the impact of decisions made by neighboring jurisdictions, state and federal agencies and private business. Now this awareness is stimulating demand for even more accurate and precise large-scale data at the local level.

Several recent developments are pushing local jurisdictions to be proactive about geographic information, at both a local and a national level.  This report provides the first comprehensive assessment of public management issues created by geographic information developments.
Local leaders have a growing opportunity to guide the development and maximize the usefulness of GIT in our communities. Because knowledge about local government GIT conditions has been inadequate, this report provides critical information. As the first assessment of GIT experience among cities and counties throughout the country, it establishes a unique nationwide baseline of local government conditions and issues.

This report is a must for all interested in local GIT issues. It highlights the critical importance of local governments and encourages continued investigation of local conditions to ensure that GIT plans meet growing societal needs and opportunities.

Read GIS In Cities & Counties: A Nationwide Assessment