by Alex Miller
sustainability
Finding the Right Balance
Using GIS to protect the environment, improve
productivity, and stimulate economic growth
All of us have a common goal: a
sustainable world. We want to preserve
the environment, become a progressive
community and improve society. These
goals, which often seem to be at odds
with each other, are attainable as long as
we find the right balance.
Municipalities can achieve this bal-
ance with the help of geographic infor-
mation system (GIS) technology. It is a
powerful system that illuminates deci-
sion making in all aspects of environ-
mental, economic, and social concerns.
GIS integrates large amounts of data
and allows users to easily make sense of
it using intelligent maps.
Protecting the environment requires
constant monitoring of land, water, and
air conditions, as well as the human
activity that impacts them. GIS is an ex-
cellent system for environmental man-
agement because it easily tracks and
communicates change using data-driven
maps, providing a sound basis for deci-
sions and policies.
Enlightening Policy and
Improving Communication
Maps tell a story better than tables
and charts. Presenting environmental
information in a spatial context makes it
easier for policy makers and the public
to understand where change is happen-
ing and where action needs to be taken.
Environment Canada uses GIS to
conduct and present research on vari-
ous concerns including climate change,
weather, air quality, water, and wildlife.
Previously, they developed separate
web mapping systems to address each
ALEX MILLER is President and Founder of
Esri Canada, which provides en-
terprise geographic information
system (GIS) solutions. He has
extensive expertise in the appli-
cation of information technology
to land, natural resource, and en-
vironmental management. Alex
is the former chairman of the Natural Resources
Canada Earth Sciences Sector Advisory Committee
and also chairs the environmental non-profit Planet
in Focus Foundation.
specific concern. To increase efficiency,
they centralized their mapping sys-
tems into one enterprise web mapping
system. This has reduced costs and
increased the speed of developing ap-
plications by allowing them to re-use
existing data, map, and application tem-
plates, and modify them according to
end users' needs.
For example, they include detailed
scientific data in the Canadian Environ-
mental Sustainability Indicators web
map used primarily by scientists and
policy makers. Meanwhile, web maps
geared towards the general public, such
as the EcoAction Community Funding
Program map, present high-level envi-
ronment information.
"Getting timely information into the
hands of policy makers, the public, and
scientists around the world is a prior-
ity we've been able to meet effectively
through web mapping. GIS is a key
building block in our enterprise archi-
tecture, and we're excited about the
potential applications we can build with
it in the future," says Terry Simmons,
Corporate Services Branch Manager for
Environment Canada.
GIS has also expanded the reach of
services by enabling Environment Can-
ada to create web maps accessible to the
blind and visually impaired.
Achieving Compliance
GIS helps municipalities comply
with environmental legislation by en-
abling them to conduct field inspections
quickly and efficiently. We see this in
action at Strathcona County in Alberta,
where a mobile GIS and work manage-
ment solution was deployed to support
compliance with the new Alberta Weed
Control Act, which seeks to protect
the health of rural land. Under the Act,
municipalities must now manage an ex-
panded list of invasive plants and hand-
deliver inspection notices to property
owners – notices that were previously
distributed by mail.
Field inspectors were equipped with
ruggedized tablets to access GIS data
on the field, along with customized data
entry forms, tools, and reporting func-
tionality. Using stylus pens, they can
accurately sketch polygons, edit spatial
information, and send this data to their
central geodatabase for instant updates.
The mobile solution promotes two-way
communication, enabling complaints
and service calls to be directed to field
inspectors. Inspectors can now also
create and deliver inspection notices
on site. Since they no longer need to
return to the office to update data, they
are able to visit more properties per day.
Through a formal work tracking system,
March 2012 Municipal World 17
