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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become the most important medium for managing, accessing analyzing and presenting information about the city. Inexpensive computing technology and software, along with efforts to publicize government data resources have made access to GIS data and tools a possibility for community organizations and citizens. These two facts point to opportunities for extended public participation in the discourse of public policy and planning. As yet, the use of GIS in non-governmental non-profit organizations has been limited. This colloquium will bring together practitioners, potential users, educators, data providers and students to explore the opportunities and the obstacles, and potential next-step efforts to improve public access to these tools.

Panelists:

• Doug Denatale of New England Foundation for the Arts. Doug has been very active in the Steering Comittee for the Boston Foundation's Childreen and Families Database, and recently published a GIS database of Arts Institions in Boston.
• Penn Loh of Alternatives for Community and Environment. Penn Is active in improving access to data and technology resources for individuals and community groups exploring policy and problems in neighborhoods.
• Eswaran Selvarajah of The South End Neighborhood Action Project. Eswaran has several years of experience applying GIS to planning problems in the South End.

Moderator: Paul Cote, Lecturer in GIS, Harvard Design School.

Special thanks to: Gloria Cross, Community Action Information Network and Charlotte Kahn, Boston Foundation Community Building Network.