G.I.S. Division

Our Purpose

The purpose of the GIS Division is to administer the City of Huntsville’s Geographic Information System (GIS), for the staff and citizens of the City of Huntsville so that they may have the data they need to make informed decisions.
 

Description Of Our Services

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is the integration of spatial information (maps, topographic maps, aerial info, survey information, computer aided design (CAD) drawings, building layouts, etc.) with database information (well measurements, population, customer data, contours, pipeline specifications, etc.). This integration provides for the creation of products and services that would be difficult, if not impossible, to produce by other means and allows the user to then query and analyze information and view the results spatially. The visualization of the data in relation to spatial objects enhances our understanding of the data in a way that would be difficult to see using only a database. GIS allows for the management and analysis of large sets of information. GIS is increasingly important to support decision-making and is a data and asset management tool for all departments. Some examples include mapping crime and fire trends, managing utility usage and utilizing it to visualize and develop street maintenance plans. The GIS department also provides mapping and data access to the public through an internet mapping system and portable document files (PDFs).