On November 20, which is Geographic Information Systems Day, the City of Norman honored its Geographic Information Systems staff. According to the official news agency of the City of Norman, the award is given to people who painstakingly oversee and interpret the vast amounts of surface and subterranean data that keep Norman running.
The Norman Geographic Information Systems team is a little yet crucial unit. GIS Manager Joyce Green, Analysts Scott Woodruff, Michelle Matthews, and Rick Hoffstatter, Technician Kopila Regmi-Paudel, and Intern Matthew Marx are among them. According to the City of Norman, they work with a database that has over 500 layers of data, ranging from easements and zoning to the history of the city.
The information her team gathers serves multiple purposes, helping other city departments such as Sanitation with route planning or 911 dispatchers with first responder deployment, according to a statement from Joyce Green that the City of Norman was able to receive. The team’s efforts are deeply embedded in the city’s decision-making procedures.
In addition, Green describes the “aerial photographs, building footprints, roads, easements, stormwater information, land use plans, city council wards, historic districts, and trees,” which are only a few examples of the vast amount of data they oversee. According to the City of Norman, this level of detail not only improves operational effectiveness but also influences ecological and societal well-being. It monitors water line integrity in accordance with EPA regulations, protecting Norman’s health.
According to the official City of Normannews, the Geographic Information Systems team promotes openness and accessibility by distributing Geographic Information Systems data directly to both city staff and citizens through Norman’s website. For those who are familiar with Geographic Information Systems, some of this data can even be downloaded in this digital age. Others can use an interactive map to explore the various layers that depict Norman’s 189.5 square miles.
According to Green, the Geographic Information Systems team’s unassuming motto is that they are a “support agency.” Since each City of Norman function is anchored to a specific region, the geographic information they compile is not only essential, but also fundamental to the core of Norman’s protracted pursuit of development and well-informed governance.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply