GIS/Mapping

What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

GIS is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing objects and events.  It combines the power of an informational database with the visualization capabilities of an easy-to-understand map.  Good decisions require good information.  Producing good information requires powerful tools to help people organize and think about data and information in new ways.  With the visual power of a map, policy-makers, City staff and the public alike can consider and discuss a number of different issues with a common understanding of the situation and the probable implications of their decisions.  Simply put, the City's GIS allows for better decision-making.

The City of Andover's GIS Department manages the information collected by various City departments, federal agencies, the State of Kansas and Butler County.  This information provides a way to incorporate, visualize and understand the relationships between different types of data to create new information.  The City's GIS allows decision makers to present this new information more clearly to the citizens.  For local government policy-makers and City staff, the availability of GIS as a tool for better decision-making has profound implications in three major areas:
Andover Fire-Rescue

Service Delivery

All departments of the City, and the services they provide, are impacted in some fashion by the use of the City's GIS.  The ability to provide an efficient storm sewer system and wastewater treatment process, to create and maintain a safe street network and to protect the public safety of the citizens of Andover are just a few examples of how the City's GIS helps to improve service delivery.
Andover City Council

Governance & Public Policy

The ability to understand issues, evaluate options, select policy, implement policy and evaluate policy consequences are all improved through the use of the City's GIS.  This allows the Andover City Council, and other appointed officials, the ability to govern the City by making informed decisions.
Summer Concert

Public Information & Community Engagement

The City's GIS allows for the presentation of complex data in a manner that is easily understood, accurate and truthfully reflects its meaning.  It also allows the public to actively interact with data instead of just passively digesting it.

Web Map Applications

Web map applications allow for policy-makers, City staff and the public to explore and interact with data.  Each individual map offers various interactive options.  For example, explore the data by finding items close to you or any other address you may want to search.  Compare individual data with the data set's average.  Filter the map to only show specific data that interests you the most.  Check the status of public or private projects happening within the City.  Best of all, the data is updated automatically as City employees perform their normal functions, so information is always current. 

Use the arrows below to browse available maps.  Click on the thumbnails to open each map.
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