What is Geographic Information Systems? Most everybody agrees that there are several main components involved in the answer, a computer, data, and a geographic location. These are some of the definitions found on the web
- A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information (ESRI).
- It is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location. Technically, a GIS is a system that includes mapping software and its application to remote sensing, land surveying, aerial photography, mathematics, photogrammetry, geography, and tools that can be implemented with GIS software (Wikipedia).
- GIS are computerized systems designed for the storage, retrieval and analysis of geographically referenced data (West Valley College, Saratoga, CA).
Some of my experience in this field includes:
City of San Jose, Planning Division and Parks Department, Trail Program:
- Maintenance and production of the General Plan Land Use/Transportation Diagram and related geo-referenced layers of information.
- Conducted geographic analysis for on going Industrial land conversions.
- Created maps related to the General Plan, and also in charge of re-designing, and updating the General Plan web page.
- Created maps as products of land use studies and other planning materials, including a series of templates for maps and its guidelines. Provided technical graphic support for planning reports, displays and presentations.
- Gathered factual data in the field to ascertain the present use of land and the location of structures in areas under study.
- Prepared supporting visual material for oral/written Spanish/English translation in site for community meetings as well as supporting visual materials for Planning Commission hearings.
- Prepared information and associated maps for the Property Assessment of the South Almaden Valley Urban Reserve (SAVUR) project. For these efforts I used MapInfo Professional.
- In the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department I was responsible of the mapping efforts for the Trail Program. Duties included but were not limited to map creation and design, database maintenance, data collection. Map creation for the Greenprint Update 2009. Coordinated with other departments and agencies for future or proposed trails in San Jose, such as Planning Division, Public Works, and Environmental Services.
Geographic Information Systems is a field of expertise that continues to evolve. Check my gallery of projects and links on the left side of this page.