GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

WHAT DOES GIS STAND FOR? Hardware and Software Data Mapping Standards GIS Savvy Users GIS G eographic I nformation S ystems often defined as a computerized database management system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data Sometimes referred to as method of digital mapping that links data to it’s physical location.

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:

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:

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:

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: ne... 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: ne... 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:

LOCAL COUNTY GIS WEBSITES

INDIANAMAP

STATS INDIANA

COMMUNITY COMMONS

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).

ARCGIS ONLINE ArcGIS.com - Image source: 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 Gibson GIS Specialist Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection