Implementing the New York city GIS utility
Jim Hall
PlanGraphics, Inc. at NYC DoITT 59 Maiden Lane, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Abstract
In early 2000 New York City's Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
(DoITT) created the New York City GIS Utility, which is focused on providing leadership and
resources for growing New York City government's geospatial capabilities. In the time since, the
GIS Utility has designed, created and populated the City's centralized geospatial data repository,
developed about a dozen GIS web applications and worked with over 20 City agencies to grow
their capabilities by giving them guidance, technical assistance and resources to enable them to
get their business done better, faster and cheaper. This presentation will review the history,
mission, roles and activity of the GIS Utility and will highlight lessons learned in the design and
implementation of the GIS Utility. Lessons learned by the GIS Utility staff in their work in
responding to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 will also be covered.
Introduction
History
Digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) have been in use in New York City
government since at least 1978, but traditionally all activity and resources were departmentfocused.
In 1999 a citywide GIS needs assessment study occurred. This study recommended that
the City establish an entity to provide centralized cross-agency GIS coordination, data handling
and technical support. The primary product of this study was the Citywide GIS Utility Master
Plan, which led to the creation of the New York City GIS Utility in early 2000 by the New York
City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT).
Staffing
Mr. Alan Leidner who had been the acting MIS Director at the Department of Environmental
Protection, transferred to DoITT to assume the position of Citywide GIS Director. A City
procurement specialist transferred to the program and in June 2000 three full-time technical
contractor staff were brought on-board. Now the staff of the GIS Utility is comprised of three
full-time City staff and six full-time contractor staff with part-time help from dozens of others.
Mission and Roles of the Utility
Mission
The mission of the GIS Utility includes the following:
- House the GIS data that are of common interest to multiple City departments, as well as
external utilities and other organizations and the general public.
- Standardize GIS data that are shared by multiple organizations.
- Standardize the system configuration for accessing GIS data stored in the central
repository server.
- Review participant departments’ system configuration to ensure it is compatible with GIS Utility standards.
- Provide means for the user communities to access the GIS data stored in the central
repository server.
- Serve as a liaison among departments to facilitate the sharing of GIS data owned by other
departments and organizations.
- Implement policies for GIS data sharing and accessing among participating
organizations.
- Apply international GIS and IT standards to facilitate GIS data sharing in a multi-vendor
environment.
