<<new jersey NGO’S Experience the power new jersey NGO’S Experience the power of GISof GIS>>

Presented By:Presented By:

<Satya Mahmoud Hany><Satya Mahmoud Hany>

By: <Kathleen McGuire>

Web Address:http://www.esri.com/industries/planning/success_stories/u_showcase.html 

Topic Number: <3>

Date: <03/03/2002>

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It began in 1995 when the state of new jersey It began in 1995 when the state of new jersey and ESRI joined forces to help NGOs expand and ESRI joined forces to help NGOs expand there GIS capability through access to state there GIS capability through access to state digital spatial data and ArcView software.digital spatial data and ArcView software.

Examples for how NGOs used GIS technology:Examples for how NGOs used GIS technology:

1.1. Delivering Vital Services Delivering Vital Services

There was a steady growth in the senior citizen There was a steady growth in the senior citizen population in city of Plainfield .population in city of Plainfield .

The Plainfield senior citizen center was The Plainfield senior citizen center was dedicated to providing onsite educational and dedicated to providing onsite educational and recreational programs as well as counseling and recreational programs as well as counseling and other services and also wanted to help the city’s other services and also wanted to help the city’s home bound seniors who were unable to get to home bound seniors who were unable to get to the center.the center.

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the center used its the center used its ArcView software to map ArcView software to map where these residents where these residents live so that services live so that services could be delivered to could be delivered to them.them.

Redesigning bus routes Redesigning bus routes and coordinating the and coordinating the local meals on wheels local meals on wheels program and other program and other home-based services are home-based services are ways that GIS has ways that GIS has provided innovative provided innovative solutions to meet the solutions to meet the needs of Plainfield needs of Plainfield changing community.changing community.

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2.2. Conserving HabitatConserving Habitat An alarming amount of migratory birds habitat An alarming amount of migratory birds habitat

has disappeared from new jersey’s landscape has disappeared from new jersey’s landscape over the last 25 years.over the last 25 years.

the new jersey Audubon society is integrating -the new jersey Audubon society is integrating -Doppler radar and GIS – to delineate important Doppler radar and GIS – to delineate important habitat areas for migrating songbirds.habitat areas for migrating songbirds.

Because songbirds are nocturnal migrants it Because songbirds are nocturnal migrants it was difficult to track them.was difficult to track them.

Overlaying composite radar images with land Overlaying composite radar images with land use/land cover data in ArcView biologists are use/land cover data in ArcView biologists are able to identify areas where birds are resting able to identify areas where birds are resting and feeding by detecting the precise moment of and feeding by detecting the precise moment of liftoff.liftoff.

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this data helps the new jersey Audubon society this data helps the new jersey Audubon society make its case for the protection of these make its case for the protection of these important stopover areas.important stopover areas.

3.3. Planning for Smart GrowthPlanning for Smart Growth Low – density development or sprawl brings Low – density development or sprawl brings

with it problems like loss of open spaces, traffic with it problems like loss of open spaces, traffic congestions, and degradation of air and water congestions, and degradation of air and water quality.quality.

To counteract sprawl, local planning processes To counteract sprawl, local planning processes need to consider the impact of development on need to consider the impact of development on transportation and on public water, sewer, and transportation and on public water, sewer, and natural resource systems before decisions are natural resource systems before decisions are made. made.

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Using ArcView, RPP Using ArcView, RPP developed GOZ, a developed GOZ, a GIS-based computer GIS-based computer program that program that calculates the build-calculates the build-out impact of out impact of existing zoning existing zoning ordinances and ordinances and enables users to enables users to construct and test construct and test alternative zoning alternative zoning scenarios.scenarios.

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4.4. Creating Recreational OpportunitiesCreating Recreational Opportunities Save Barnegat Bay has delineated and mapped Save Barnegat Bay has delineated and mapped

routes through the Sedge Islands of Island routes through the Sedge Islands of Island Beach State Park on the New Jersey coast, Beach State Park on the New Jersey coast, making this marine ecosystem accessible for making this marine ecosystem accessible for kayaking and canoeing.kayaking and canoeing.

ESRI technology translated the data into ESRI technology translated the data into images that could be used to chart, map, images that could be used to chart, map, and assess the progress then plan for and assess the progress then plan for tomorrow based on an accurate picture of tomorrow based on an accurate picture of today. today.