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For whom does the community geographer work?

How is the community geographer funded?

What is the composition and role of the community geographer’s steering committee?

How do I submit a project request to the community geographer?

How often are new project requests reviewed and accepted?

Who makes the decision as to whether my project will be accepted?

If my project is selected, when will work begin?

How are maps made?

What happens after maps are created for a specific project?

What is GIS?

Does the community geographer provide training in GIS?

What is Syracuse MapsOnline?

How can I get assistance using Syracuse MapsOnline?

What other sources of online maps are available in Central New York?

How can geography and maps improve the community?

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For whom does the community geographer work?

The community geographer (CG) is a staff member in the Syracuse University Geography Department. A voluntary steering committee guides the community geographer’s work. Ultimately, the CG works for members of the community to undertake mapping projects proposed by the community.

How is the community geographer funded?

Presently, the Community Geographer receives the majority of its funding from the SU Chancellor’s Office. The Horowitch Family Foundation also provides an annual contribution. The Maxwell School and the SU Geography Department contribute office space, equipment and other resources. In the past, the CG received funding from the Gifford Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation, and the Allyn Foundation.

What is the composition and role of the community geographer’s steering committee?

The 10-member steering committee is a voluntary group that is representative of the Syracuse community. Local residents, area foundations and charitable organizations, social service agencies, and SU faculty, staff and students comprise the steering committee. The committee is charged with raising awareness about the CG position, establishing community connections, prioritizing and selecting project proposals, assessing and evaluating the community geographer’s work, and assisting with fundraising.

How do I submit a project request to the Community Geographer?

Simply complete and submit the project request form. If you are unsure about whether mapping can benefit your community project, complete as much of the form as you can. The CG will contact you to further discuss ideas and explore possibilities. After a request is submitted, the CG and the steering committee will review the proposal and contact you as soon as possible.

How often are new project requests reviewed and accepted?

The CG meets monthly with the steering committee to evaluate new project proposals and to discuss project progress. New projects are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and are taken on as time permits.

Who makes the decision as to whether my project will be accepted?

The community geographer, after reviewing your proposal and clarifying any questions, presents the proposal to the steering committee, which meets monthly. The steering committee bases its decision on timing, data availability, community impact, and the utility of the project to the broader community.

If my project is selected, when will work begin?

The community geographer will work with you to determine a mutually acceptable timeframe to begin the project. A memorandum of understanding between project collaborators, the community geographer, and a member of the steering committee must be signed prior to beginning a community geographer-assisted project.

How are maps made?

Maps are created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. The software used is ESRI’s ArcGIS. Final maps and datasets are made available to project partners in digital and hard copy format.

What happens after maps for a specific project are created?

Hardcopy paper maps, digital maps, and digital data are provided to the partnering organization(s) and/or group(s). Hard copy maps are provided in .pdf and .gif file formats for ease of use in documents and presentations. In addition, the CG makes every attempt to make the maps and data available to the community at large. Final maps are posted on the CG website and digital data are available upon request. In the event that a project’s data may disclose confidential information (e.g. personal individual or household characteristics), the maps that are made publicly available will not include personal identifying information and the digital data will not be publicly shared. In instances when the data must be kept confidential, a confidentiality agreement between the community geographer and partnering group(s) will be established.

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based technology that integrates geographic information with information from databases to facilitate the management, analysis, and display of georeferenced data—data that can be linked to a place on the earth’s surface. Virtually all data are spatial—where you live and work, schools, businesses, highways, parks, forests, etc. The information stored in databases, referred to as attribute data, typically contain a mapable entity and its associated characteristics (e.g. a health center, the services it provides, and the hours of operation; the number of occupants in a house; the programs available at an after-school program; the annual revenue of a business; the recreational activities available at a park; tree species found in a forest. Attributes stored in the “geo”databases, and can be queried, analyzed, and edited, similar to data stored in a regular database, but GIS database manipulations can be reflected in maps because they contain a geographic reference.

Typically, GIS databases contain information that is thematically similar and represent individual “layers” of a GIS map. For example, one database may contain residential address information, including the number of household occupants, the ages of the residents, and the household median income. A second database may contain information on all schools, including graduation rates. Each thematic layer can be mapped separately to show their locations, or the various themes can be overlaid with one another to show patterns and geographic relationships (e.g. school locations, their average graduation rates and the median household income of the neighborhoods surrounding the schools).

A GIS is most often associated with maps. A map, however, is only one way to work with geographic data in a GIS, and only one type of product generated by a GIS. This is important, because it means that a GIS can provide a great deal more problem-solving capabilities than simply adding data to a map. To learn more about GIS, explore the links and resources available on the About GIS section of our website.

Does the community geographer provide training in GIS?

Not at this time, but Syracuse University and SUNY ESF offer GIS courses. In addition, ESRI provides online GIS training courses for a variety of its software programs and applications. If you are a student, staff or faculty member of SU or SUNY ESF, many of ESRI’s online training courses are free because the institutions possess ESRI site license agreements. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it GIS Librarian, in the Bird Library for more information about how to enroll in ESRI tutorials or visit www.ESRI.com.

The Community Geographer does offer workshops to show community members how to use Syracuse MapsOnline. Created in 2008, Syracuse MapsOnline is an interactive web-based mapping tool containing mapped data specific to Onondaga County, NY. MapsOnline is a free resource that allows users to select from over 90 layers of data to create, save and print customized maps at scales ranging from a neighborhood block to the entire county. To request a group training of up to 20 people, or to find out when the next training is, complete the workshop request form.

What is Syracuse MapsOnline?

Created in 2008, Syracuse MapsOnline is an interactive web-based mapping tool containing mapped data specific to Onondaga County, NY. MapsOnline is a free resource that allows users to select from over 90 layers of data to create, save and print customized maps at scales ranging from a neighborhood block to the entire county.

How can I get assistance using Syracuse MapsOnline?

The Community Geographer offers trainings, upon request, to groups of up to 20 community members. Trainings are typically held in the Integrated Spatial Dynamics Lab, located in 220 Crouse Hinds Hall at Syracuse University. Offsite trainings can also be arranged if a computer lab with Internet access is available. Training dates and times are negotiable and depend upon the schedule of the group, the CG, and the availability of the computer lab. To request a group training of up to 20 people, or to find out when the next training is, complete the workshop request form. There is also a downloadable tutorial available if you are interested to try it out on your own. If you have questions, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the Community Geographer.

What other sources of online maps are available in Central New York?

As community mapping grows in popularity, so too does the availability of free spatial datasets, downloadable maps, and interactive mapping websites. Visit the More Online Maps page to see what is available.

How can geography and maps improve the community?

Spatial analysis can add a new perspective to community challenges. Whether mapping the landscape of food insecurity or public transportation routes, maps shed light on issues such as where there are gaps in service coverage or whether services are accessible via public transportation. GIS and map making can often facilitate broader participation in planning processes because participants are able to more readily visualize a challenge and its possible solutions. For this reason, spatial visualization and GIS analytical tools frequently present a unique opportunity for enhanced citizen involvement in public policy and planning issues. Oftentimes, maps can facilitate mutual understanding and common agreement about basic facts and can be used to develop trusting relationships across a diverse set of participants.