Broken clouds, Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) Mapping
The Municipal District of Taber utilizes geographical mapping appliactions and spatial data sets on a daily basis. Our wide variety of spatial data sets include Current and Historic Air Photos (Ortho-Rectified), Land Parcel Boundaries, Road Networks, Addressing, Water and Sewer Infastructure, Oil and Gas Locations, Signage Inventories, as well as many others. These spatial data sets combine location information such as Latitude and Longitude with attribute information for example the Water Pipeline is 6 inch diameter, and made of PVC. Computer based G.I.S software allows us to utilize spatial data in a way that aids in planning, reporting, and project management.
Coming In March 2010
2009 Color Air Photos (Ortho-Rectified Imagery)
Spatial Data & Mapping Resources
| Free Data Available | Purchase and Subscription Based Data |
| GeoGratis - Natural Resources Canada | AltaLIS - Digital Mapping For Alberta |
| GeoBase | IHS - EGIS (Oil & Gas, Etc.) |
| Atlas of Canada | Abacus Datagraphics (Oil & Gas, Etc.) |
| Canadian GIS Data | |
| GeoConnections |
G.I.S. Softwares ranges from very complex systems used by organizations including the M.D. of Taber to being very user friendly and mostly online. The G.I.S. Industry has evolved over the past years in that our largest clientel has become the home user. A fairly new realization is that the average home user has as much to gain from spatial data that is maintained as any organization. As stated earlier user friendly G.I.S. Map applications are typically online applications, some that you might be familiar with and are free include:
Google Maps (M.D. of Taber Interactive Map)
ESRI ArcGIS Explorer (Download)
Map Guide Open Source (Download)
These mapping platforms amongst others are being embedded and customized on websites all over. The Municipal District of Taber has done just that as we have embedded the Google Maps application into our website with some very useful custom tools. Some very good examples of website that have embedded online mapping applications are:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Interactive Maps