The City of Boston has been using GIS within individual departments to enhance both operational and analytical functions since the early 1990's. The Assessing Department was the initial creator of spatial `basemap' information in 1990 (essential cadastral map information to which all other location-based information can be referenced, such as parcel boundaries, centerlines and street annotation).
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) funded aerial photography and planimetric data such as street centerlines, sidewalks, building outlines. Other Departments have maintained valuable GIS data for their purposes. Census, landuse, zoning, asset management data have all been gathered and maintained by various Departments throughout the City of Boston. However, getting consolidated map information out to city employees and the public has been difficult. In an effort to resolve these types of issues, Boston's Management Information Systems (MIS) Department has taken on the responsibility of developing a centralized, citywide GIS.
GIS or Geographic Information Systems is a mapping system that uses computers to collect, store, manipulate, analyze, and display data.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology works by linking information stored in databases to a place or location on a map. Since 80% of all information has a geographic component, the power of GIS can be widely used to support decision-making and problem solving across all sectors - government agencies, private and non-profit organizations and the public. But GIS is much more than maps. Users can query the data and present the answers in maps, tables and other graphic representations to virtually see the issues before them and then select the best course of action.
Add the increasing popularity of the Internet, and GIS offers a reliable and cost-effective means for the sharing and analysis of geographic data among government agencies, private industry, non-profit organizations, and the general public.
Enterprise GIS in the City of Boston
Background and History of GIS in the City of Boston
Awards
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Significant Achievement Award 2011
Public Technologies Institute for SAM, Street and Address Management
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Technology Solutions Award 2010
Public Technologies Institute, GIS category for the GIS Data Hub
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Special Achievement Award 2009
Esri for significant achievement in GIS
Video & Multimedia
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City Officials Impress with Maps at 2011 ESRI Conference
At the 2011 ESRI International User Conference, representatives from the City of Boston demonstrated the City's use of GSI applications to attendees, highlighting how the applications are being used to engage citizens and improve the City's efficiency and effectiveness.
- Privacy & Security
- @ 2012 City of Boston. All rights reserved.
