Abstract

Enhancing GIS Accessibility for Local Governments in Southern California
Track: State and Local Government
Authors: Nina Tozzi, Simon Choi, Javier Minjares, Frank Wen, Ping Wang, Walberto Martin

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), a Metropolitan Planning Organization for Southern California, launched a pilot GIS program with the purpose of developing accurate and current land use and planning data under California Senate Bill 375. The State law, in conjunction with federal law, encourages local jurisdictions to actively participate in the regional planning process. Various local agencies were constrained and had limited/or no access to GIS. The pilot program enhanced GIS accessibility by bringing mobile GIS services directly to selected cities. The readily accessible GIS system increased communication channels between SCAG and local jurisdictions by helping to update, share, and exchange information. This paper demonstrates how participating jurisdictions were selected, what and how GIS services were provided, and how communication channels were improved; in addition we address issues and lessons learned throughout the process.

Nina Tozzi
Southern California Association of Governments
818 W. 7th Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
United States
Phone: 213-236-1861
E-mail: tozzi@scag.ca.gov

Simon Choi
Southern California Association of Governments
818 W. 7th Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
United States
Phone: 2132362849
E-mail: choi@scag.ca.gov

Javier Minjares
Southern California Association of Governments
818 W. 7th Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
United States
Phone: 2132361893
E-mail: minjares@scag.ca.gov

Frank Wen
Southern California Association of Governments
818 W. 7th Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
United States
Phone: 2132361854
E-mail: wen@scag.ca.gov

Ping Wang
Southern California Association of Governments
818 W. 7th Street, 11th Floor
Lo, California 90017
United States
Phone: 2132361909
E-mail: wangp@scag.ca.gov

Walberto Martin
SCAG
818 W.7th Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
United States
Phone: 213-236-1861
E-mail: martinw@scag.ca.gov