Characterizing Geographic Information And Analysis Needs In New York State: An Overview and Assessment

The use of computer technology to analyze and to manage geographic information is becoming commonplace among public and private organizations in virtually all 50 States. The manner in which this information technology is being assembled and deployed is of increasing interest to administrators, practitioners and academicians alike. This paper summarizes the findings for this type of activity in New York State. The reality is GIS dissemination activities are scattered about, the activities themselves are piecemeal, and the principal effort is for creating digital geo-referenced databases that support automated map production. With regard to New York State in particular, and an outcome of analysis of results obtained from an experts' meeting (the Minnowbrook Workshop), primary use of GIS is to automate the production of maps and to integrate environmental and socio-economic data for enhancing environmental management activities. With regard to the integration and linking of geographic information, the adopti...