Divisions & Programs

Mapping Information

About GIS
GIS at Community Development
GIS in the City of Cambridge
For More Information

About GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) apply computers to the making of maps. Features on the ground are represented digitally by geometric objects such as points, lines, and polygons, which are then given real-world coordinates. The use of databases elevates GIS beyond a mere map-drawing tool. Attributes, or data about a feature, are stored in database tables, and the tables joined to the geometric objects within GIS.

Use of a common coordinate system for different data layers ensures that sets of data fit together as they would in the real world, with bridges stretching across water bodies, and buildings lining up along streets. Furthermore, the size of a feature can be measured, and spatial relationships between features can be determined. This allows for more advanced analysis of the data, and more useful symbolization on maps. For example, GIS could be used to determine the average size of parcels that fall within a business zoning district, and can highlight all such parcels with a different color on a map. Most features in our base map layers are derived from aerial photography taken in April 2003.

GIS at Community Development

CDD's planning information staff create and maintain GIS data related to zoning, public parks, playgrounds, and open space, and demographic data drawn from the United States Census. CDD staff use maps to facilitate public meetings, illustrate neighborhood studies, and perform zoning and transportation analysis.

For links to widely used stock maps and examples of GIS in use for planning studies go to the Listing of Frequently Requested Maps.

GIS in the City of Cambridge

The Information Technology Department is responsible for the successful implementation of GIS technology throughout the City departments. Within MIS, the GIS Staff manages the data systems and applications shared throughout city government.

Go to the City's GIS Home Page.

The GIS group recently implemented a series of GIS data viewers allows users to view GIS data, query databases linked to GIS, view related documents, export data from a GIS query, and print maps. These include a Parcel Viewer that provides real estate information as well as a parcel map and an aerial photo viewer that provides a single seamless aerial photo of Cambridge.

You can reach the GIS data viewers through the City's GIS Home Page.

For More Information

For more information about mapping and the use of GIS at the Community Development Department, contact Brendan Monroe, GIS Specialist, bmonroe@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4641. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

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