Information Systems and Technology:
Geographic Information Systems
N 37 59’ 40.7”
W -84 27’ 46.6”

What is a GIS? A GIS is . . .

. . . not a computer system for making maps, although it is capable of creating maps at various scales, in different projections, and with different colors. Most people see a GIS as a map making package, however that represents only a small portion of its capabilities.

It is an analysis tool that allows the user to create and view different spatial scenarios.

For example:
A utility company may wish to ask its system which water lines within the City Limits are greater than 20 years old? or Where are all the sewage pump stations located and what are their attributes?

A human resources agency may ask its system where all the daycare centers are located and what are their capacities? or Where are all the high schools located and what are their capacities?

It is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.

Anything which occupies a unique place on the earth's surface (whether its a line, point, or area) can have its attributes stored in a geographic information system. In addition to text-based attributes, images of any type (buildings, parks, important documents, people, . . .) can also be linked to map elements.

Contact

James Wisenhunt – GIS Manager
699 Perimeter Drive
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 269-8021
(859) 269-7917 (FAX)
jamesw@bgadd.org

Shane New - Director of Information Systems & Technology
699 Perimeter Drive
Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 269-8021
(859) 269-7917 (FAX)
shanen@bgadd.org