Abstract

Houston's Plat Tracker puts the GIS in land development
Track: Urban and Regional Planning
Authors: Jackie Smith

The Plat Tracker supports Houston's land development approval process. This home grown web-based system includes GIS research tools and a CAD to GIS automation process made possible by requiring an AutoCAD template on plat submittal. This allows for streamlined CAD to GIS conversion which was not possible before with GIS technicians. GIS enabling the plats also makes proposed land development viewable by citizens quicker and more easily than ever before. It allows automation of spatial intersection of other GIS data, which reduces human error and quickens the review process. GIS analysts, urban planners and managers should attend to learn how the 4th largest city built a GIS enabled land development system from the ground up. Also learn the technical, organizational and interpersonal struggles and successes that were realized!