The FAU/FIU Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems and the FAU GIS Lab used ArcView GIS to identify redevelopment, infill, and transit-oriented development opportunities after Hurricane Andrew. The information generated by the GIS was used to plan and promote "urban centers" along the U.S. 1 Corridor study area. This paper describes the development of the South Dade GIS database and demonstrates how the GIS database was used as a planning and analysis tool. It also addresses how the GIS was used in context with the public participation process to develop a plan for one community urban center.