GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems.  It can be defined as:

".... a collection of computer hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.” www.gis.com

The keyword in this technology is ‘geographic’.  This means that some portion of the data is spatially aware.  What makes GIS truly unique is the ability to link the attributes of one geographic feature to that of another geographic feature based on shared space (what is inside) or proximity (what is nearby).

A few HRM examples of this would be:

• Provide all properties within 50 metres (as-the-crow-flies) to building features such as daycares, hospitals, or places of worship. [Used in Pesticide Bylaw implementation]
• Provide all properties within 1000 metres (via the streets and walkways) of a transit bus stop. [Used in Local Transit tax area rate]
• Provide the winter maintenance area, municipal district, and ownership of streets. [Used in HRM Street Maintenance Directory]
• Provide all emergency sectors that will be affected by an event based on wind speed and direction, and list the buildings, and population, that fall within each of those emergency sectors. [GIS team’s role in EMO operations]