GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location – such as streets, water features, parks, census data, parcel information, and more – and turns it into visual layers on a map, while also providing detailed data about that location.

Redwood City uses GIS in planning, redevelopment, community outreach, demographic analysis, economic development, and other areas.

And … the City is happy to announce that starting on Tuesday, November 24th the community will have a public version of Redwood City’s GIS application available on the Internet, with no special software required. The public version will have many features and options that are sure to be of great interest to the community – from schools and day care centers to neighborhood associations; from census and demographics information to zoning; and from parks and places of interest to historic resources, parcel information, community centers, and more.

The public version will be available online at www.redwoodcity.org/gis as of Tuesday, November 24th, 2009.