|
Welcome to the Richmond
Regional Planning District  Commission’s Geographic Information System (GIS)
Office webpage. You're probably wondering what GIS
is. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a computer-based mapping tool that
allows
for the storage, editing and creation of spatial/geographic information.
GIS can
also perform geographic analysis based on what questions you need answered. What
layers of information you combine depends on your purpose—finding the best
location for a new commercial site, looking for greenways and blueways or
analyzing environmental situations such as impervious surface, land use, and
zoning or to detect a pattern change in the geography of the area.
The Richmond PDC GIS office is responsible for coordinating GIS data
sharing amongst the participating localities and with creating maps for these
various agencies, the general public and other PDCs. The GIS Office uses ArcGIS
9.X software to produce maps showing how data relates to land features—such as a
map with census boundaries or floodplains. In addition, the GIS Office supports
transportation planning activities for the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO).
The planning district
commission staff has been playing an increased role working with local
governments to develop recommendations for their own GIS as well as providing
GIS analysis and mapping. Of major significance is a current project in Charles
City County to supervise the development of a GIS database and addressing system
that the county will use to develop its E911 wireless program.
Contact information for the
GIS coordinators from each locality can be obtained by selecting the
“Coordinators” icon. This committee typically meets the fourth Thursday of
every month. Contact the department for more details on the meetings.
|
