UTSA joins in worldwide celebration of 2014 GIS Day Nov. 19
![GIS diagram](http://www.utsa.edu/today/images/graphics/gis14.jpg)
(Nov. 13, 2014) -- The UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography will celebrate 2014 GIS Day from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the Arts Building Gallery (2.03.04) on the UTSA Main Campus. The worldwide celebration is an annual salute to geospatial technology and its power to transform and better our lives.
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that allows users to visualize, question, analyze and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends. A GIS can capture, store, manipulate, manage and present all types of spatial or geographical data.
The technology has applications to engineering, planning, management, transport/logistics, insurance, telecommunications and business. It also helps users make better decisions about locations including real estate site selection, route/corridor selection, evacuation planning, conservation and natural resource extraction.
GIS-based maps and visualizations greatly assist in understanding situations and in storytelling. It also is essential in understanding what is happening and what will happen in geographic space.
GIS Day will allow students and faculty to connect with others working on GIS research projects around campus. Participants also can learn about GIS-related resources available to the UTSA community.
GIS Day is sponsored by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), UTSA Geographical Society, and the UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography.
Scheduled agenda:
"What is GIS?"
Nazgol Bagheri, UTSA assistant professor of geography and director of the Critical GIS Research Laboratory
"GIS Applications in Urban Housing Development"
Rebecca Walter, UTSA assistant professor of urban and regional planning
"Geospatial Visualization of Health Disparities"
Corey Sparks, UTSA associate professor of demography
"GIS and Ancient Agrarian Technologies in the Andes"
Sonia Alconini, UTSA associate professor of archaeology
"GIS Applications in San Antonio CPS Energy"
Henry Figueroa, GIS analyst, CPS Energy
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For more information, contact Nazgol Bagheri at 210-458-8256.
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