Free GIS Data Site

This site contains links to over 300 different sources of GIS data.

http://freegisdata.rtwilson.com/

Citizen Request App

Some of you might be interested in the sharing opportunity mentioned in the story below...

http://www.esri.com/esri-news/arcwatch/0115/small-town-big-dreams?utm_source=esri&utm_medium=email&utm_term=86202&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=arcwatch_january_2015

One Example of How Open Data is Used

Although from a US City, there are examples of this type of application being used in the Calgary Region:

http://www.govtech.com/transportation/Can-a-New-Map-Simplify-Parking-in-Chicago.html

3D GIS

ESRI's latest paper on 3D GIS you might find interesting.

http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/3d-urban-mapping.pdf

Calgary Region citizens empowered by access to regional open data

By Paula Arab, Content Contributor

Residents in the Calgary Region will have more access to municipal data due to the launch of the Calgary Regional Partnership’s Open Data website (www.calgaryregionopendata.ca).

Greater access to this data has many benefits and applications, including but not limited to:

• greater government transparency
• new applications, products or services
• improved efficiency of government services
• increased public participation

The new site was was launched earlier this month on international Geographic Information Systems (GIS) day, a global event that, according to the website showcases “real-world applications that are making a difference in our society.”

The launch, at the TELUS Spark Science Centre, was “a way for us to celebrate the work we do and show people how it affects them in their daily lives,” said Jessica Letizia, GIS Coordinator for the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP).

GIS Day at Telus Spark presented by the CRP, SAIT and the AGG.

So far, seven member municipalities are participating in the partnership’s Open Data portal with more than 60 datasets already posted, and more being added every week.

The participating municipalities include Canmore, Airdrie, Banff, Chestermere, Cochrane, Okotoks and Strathmore. Some of the bigger municipalities, such as Calgary, already have their own Open Data portals.

What is Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

A GIS can be used for capturing, storing and displaying data related to spatial positions on the Earth’s surface.

For instance, a GIS can show multiple layers of data on one map, such as streets, bike paths, buildings, schools, traffic lights, and so on.

It enables people to more easily interpret and analyze patterns and relationships, creating applications with real-world relevance such as allowing users to report bear sightings in Canmore, for instance, or finding the nearest taxi stand.

“We’ve had a lot of requests for trails in Canmore,” says Patricia Langevin, who was at TELUS Spark to help CRP launch Open Data. “Technology savvy users want to build  apps around cycling and mountain biking and they want to do really cool things with our trail network because we’re a world class mountain biking place.”

Langevin, who is GIS coordinator for Canmore, says her municipality didn’t have the required resources to start its own Open Data portal. “That’s why this initiative of CRP really benefits us.”

Langevin says requests for municipal data sets come from all channels, including utility companies, planners, and non-profit organizations such as universities looking to do research projects.

Open Data in the Calgary Region

Over in Airdrie, Corey Halford has been working on the Open Data initiative for five years.

Halford, the Data Services team lead for Airdrie, estimates it would have cost his municipality upward of $60,000 in one-time costs to create its own database, and another $20,000 to $30,000 a year to maintain it.

As it is, Airdrie’s cost is just $2,000 a year to participate in CRP’s portal.

“The value of the regional partnership is very tangible to Airdrie in this case,” says Halford.

So far, Airdrie has uploaded 18 datasets, including neighbourhood names, civic addresses, schools and churches. Information relied upon by GPS routing companies has also been uploaded, including road centre lines and address points.

The CRP’s portal doesn’t just provide value to member municipalities, it provides value to the public, by empowering them with data that has already been paid for by taxpayers and collected.

“The value of the regional partnership is very tangible to Airdrie in this case”

“We see value in enabling our community to be more resourceful with the information we have at our disposal,” says Halford. “There’s a lot of data the city consumes but doesn’t make available to the public.

Open Data is an engine in which we can give the public access to this data and until you make it available, you don’t know what we be relevant or what the demand will be for the information. Now we can measure it.”

According to Halford, road blocks to Open Data include demonstrating the value of releasing the data, and overcoming the fear of how the information will be used, if released.

“We’re not giving out data that’s confidential or personal,” says Halford. “Once people understand that, they begin to see the value in Open Data. There’s a big push for open and transparent government, and Open Data is one of the fundamentals of open government.”

Paula Arab of Paula Arab & Associates Inc. is a national media, communications and writing consultant.

Regional GIS Day 2014 - November 19!

Do you know what the word Geomatics means?  How about GIS? Believe it or not, Geomatics technology is part of your life…every day!

Join the Alberta Geomatics Group (AGG), the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) in celebrating GIS Day 2014 at the TELUS Spark Science Centre on November 19^th. Through various hands on activities, an innovation and career tradeshow with more than 30 booths, and activities for kids related to geography and Geomatics, we hope to educate a new generation of Geo-Nerds! If that wasn’t enough, many of the exhibits at the TELUS Spark centre will be open to explore!

If this hasn’t peaked your interest, there will door prizes throughout the evening as well as light refreshments.

Visit www.AlbertaGeomaticsGroup.ca and register today.  Its only $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12 years of age.  As well, you can download the poster for the event and post it in your staff room to ensure others within your teams are aware of this great opportunity.

Come spend the evening at TELUS Spark!

Life is an Adventure, know where you’re going!  Come find out Geomatics plays a part in this journey!

5 Common Web Map Design Mistakes to Avoid

Some good points in this article...

http://blog.mangomap.com/post/65510122361/5-common-web-map-design-mistakes-to-avoid#

Open Government Tour 2014 #OGT14 Hits Victoria BC

Although this event has already happened, there are some comments related to current Government participation levels...

http://blog.gisuser.com/2014/08/26/open-government-tour-2014-ogt14-hits-victoria-to-stimulate-opendata-dialog-opendata/

Spatial Data Warehouse Ltd. Stakeholder Meetings

In November, Spatial Data Warehouse (SDW) will host two stakeholder meetings to discuss current and future plans for the organization as part of their strategic renewal plan. These meetings are designed to create a conversation with stakeholders in regards to their ideas and concerns about current SDW products as distributed through AltaLIS. Discussion about new products and opportunities for providing access to geospatial data that supports the needs of industry, government and the public will also be on the agenda.

• November 13, 2014 - Delta Edmonton South Hotel & Conference Centre
• November 17, 2014 - Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary Airport

For more information contact Erik Holmlund.

Spatial Data Infrastructure Summit

GeoDiscover Alberta, in conjunction with GeoConnections, is pleased to invite the Canadian spatial data community to attend their 1st annual Spatial Data Infrastructure Summit being held at the University of Calgary, September 17 to September 19, 2014. This conference will explore the role of governments in realizing better means for sharing geographic data and developing improved location-based services for meeting real world needs. For more information, click here.