GIS and Geomatics The Geomatics Branch creates and maintains geospatial information and infrastructure for York Region. The value of Geographic Informations Systems (GIS) for local government is that it links location to information to enhance decision making. The GIS can be used to answer questions. Where is the nearest post-office, police station or municipal office? How many bus stops are along Yonge Street? Is that land environmentally protected?

GIS also aids decision making.

York Region Geomatics Branch acquires, creates and maintains spatial information for use throughout York Region's operational departments. Among the most widely accessed layers are roads, parcels and orthophotography. These spatial information layers can be accessed through yrGeo, the Region's internet mapping service.   Currently the Geomatics Branch maintains over 250 different types of spatial information. A listing of these layers can be found through our on-line metadata listing,  yrGeoCatalogue. In a fast-growing Region, it takes a great deal of effort to maintain accurate information on a scheduled basis so that all data users have up-to-date spatial information. In 2007 spatial data included: 19,169 road intersections 26,095 street segments in the Road Network 279,974 individual parcels of land 3,900 scanned and georeferenced registered plans of subdivision

The Geomatics Branch also designs and implements GIS servers, desktop software, GIS and GPS applications used by Regional staff, as well as the yrGeo internet mapping website that the public can access. These applications boost local government efficiency by putting GIS tools and spatial information in the hands of staff to efficiently collect data on Regional assets and aid decision-making.

 

 

 

Analytics and Aplied Mapping Besides enabling other staff in the Region with GIS applications and training, the Geomatics Branch conducts complex analysis and maintains a wide variety of cartographic products every year. About 150 of these maps can be downloaded and viewed in Adobe Acrobat format through  yrGeoMaps and  yrGeoCatalogue. Nine introductory to advanced GIS training courses are provided to Regional staff and YorkInfo Partners through the corporate learning program.

The Geomatics Branch works in co-operation with local municipalities and conservation authorities in York Region to create a geospatial information framework among the Partners that enhances sharing opportunities, creates effiencies and common applications. The Region has data sharing agreements in place with local municipalities, surrounding Regions, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government.

 

For example, members in the YorkInfo Partnership collectively acquire biannual orthophotography, which can be seen on the yrGeo website.