Geographic Information Systems

We also provide technical assistance to other departments to help them develop and maintain their own GIS information. Our staff is currently working towards creating a system from which all City employees will have real time access to our GIS information.

The most common way that we communicate GIS information with residents and employees is through maps. We can produce maps up to 34" x 44" in size for a minimal fee. Citizens can request a map by emailing us at mckeet@ci.charleston.sc.us, calling or coming by our office at 75 Calhoun Street. Some of our most popular maps are available online for viewing and downloading.

What is GIS?

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system of computer software, hardware and data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information that is tied to a spatial or geographic location. GIS is NOT a Global Positioning System (GPS) nor is it a static or paper map. Maps are a product of GIS. GIS is really a 'smart map'. Every feature, such as a street, parcel or building is actually linked to a database that contains information about that feature such as the street name, property owner, or building height.

GIS is so powerful because it allows us to view this information in map form instead of a complex database. Additionally, because features are associated with a geographic location they know how they are related to each other. For example, a GIS can tell you what property owners and therefore how many residents are within a 1 mile radius of a particular park.

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