FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Proposed Urban Area Criteria for the 2010 Census

Courtesy of Randy Fusaro, Chief of the National/State Geographic Partnership Branch, US Census Bureau.
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The Census Bureau announces publication of the "Proposed Urban Area Criteria for the 2010 Census" in the Federal Register of 8.24.2010, available on the Federal Register's website. The Census Bureau is seeking public comment on these proposed criteria. Comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the criteria should be submitted in writing, no later than 11.22.2010, to Timothy Trainor, Chief, Geography Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-7400.

The Census Bureau's urban-rural classification is fundamentally a delineation of geographical areas, identifying individual urbanzed areas of 50,000 or more people and urban clusters of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people; "rural" encompasses all population and territory not included in urban areas. The Census Bureau's urban areas represent densely developed territory, and encompass residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses. Additional information about the Census Bureau's urban-rural classification is available on the Census Bureau's website.

The proposed urban area criteria for the 2010 Census as well as summaries of the proposed changes, are available on the Census Bureau's website.

GIS Strategic Planning Opportunities

Following the Strategic Initiatives of the GIS Strategic Plan 2010-2015 and the guidance of the VGIN Advisory Board, VGIN is establishing two Strategic Planning workgroups.


Geospatial Clearinghouse

From the Strategic Plan: “Oversee the development of a Commonwealth-wide geospatial clearinghouse that connects all levels of government and other VGIN Stakeholders”.

Summary: The Virginia Geospatial Clearinghouse (VGC) will be a geospatial information gateway that provides access, either directly or through links, to geospatial data holdings in Virginia. Stakeholders include all levels of government, academia, non-profits and the private sector.


Date for Kick-off Meeting: August 18, 2-4 PM

Location: Chester (VITA Offices) Webinar will be provided

Meeting agenda and details will follow.


GIS Education

From the Strategic Plan: “Facilitate Geospatial Educational Opportunities”

Summary: The geospatial community in Virginia has identified a need for heightened coordination efforts in communicating the value and need for GIS, coordination of GIS as an educational curriculum, and the coordination of specialized GIS training for practitioners.

Date for Kick-off Meeting: September 21, 2-4 PM

Location: Chester (VITA Offices) Webinar will be provided

Meeting agenda and details will follow.


We are seeking motivated representatives from all Virginia GIS stakeholder groups who will proactively participate. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to vbmp@vita.virginia.gov indicating which workgroup you want to participate in.

VBMP 2011 Seminars - Next Two Weeks

The VBMP program is scheduled to fly the western half of Virginia in 2011. VGIN and Sanborn staff will be holding a series of information session across the state from July 27 - August 4. These sessions will explain the program and all available upgrades and options. You are encouraged to attend to find out all the details including how to order.

• Abingdon, Tuesday, July 27, 1-3 p.m., Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Room 233, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210


• Roanoke, Wednesday, July 28, 9-11 a.m., Roanoke Higher Education Center, 108 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24016


• Staunton, Thursday, July 29, 9-11 a.m., 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482


• Winchester, Thursday, July 29, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Timbrook Public Safety Center, Community Room – 3rd Floor, 231 East Piccadilly St., Winchester, VA 22601


• Richmond, Wednesday, August 4, 9-11 a.m., VITA CESC Multipurpose Room # 1222, 11751 Meadowville Lane Chester, VA 23836

The eastern half of the state was flown in 2009 but localities in the eastern portion may also request to be flown at the same time.

The invitation extends to parties in your organization or private entities that may benefit from the program. Please feel free to share the invitation. RSVP to vgin_seminar@sanborn.com

We hope to see you there.

Special Achievements in GIS - Virginia Style

Three Virginia GIS organizations were recognized for their Special Achievements in GIS at the 2010 ESRI International User Conference. Congratulations to Henrico County recognized for their enterpise integration, Loudoun County recognized for their GIS Land Records System, and the Virginia Department of Transportation recognized for their Enterprise GIS plan.

New Virginia.gov Website Includes Interactive Mapping

The new release of the Virginia.gov website now includes interactive mapping from a variety of state agencies. Utilizing both the VGIN base map webservice and VITA HW/SW platform called the GEP (Geospatial Enterprise Platform), users can interactively navigate to view details of up to 15 layers provided by Virginia state agencies. The data range from VEC Employment Offices, DMV Offices, Public Boat Ramps, to Hospitals and ABC Stores. The interactive map also be yet another method to access information about a given locality.

Take a look and be sure to provide feedback at the bottom of the map!

Chesterfield Launches Online Mapping Site - CitizenGIS

Chestefield County launched a new online mapping application this month. Using ArcGIS Server and Silverlight the CitizenGIS site allows the public to view property, street, environmental, easement, utility, political, topographic,planning and special layer information. Additionally, political and school information is provided in text format. Three years of VBMP imagery (2002, 2007 and 2009)can be viewed. In a press release GIS Manager Nancy Parker stated "One of our goals was to make the online mapping features as intuitive as possible for users." My quick review of the site confirms they hit that goal dead on.

Elevation Framework Data - Kickoff

The Elevation Framework Initiative Action Team (FIAT) met May 20th in Charlottesville to start efforts to improve the quality and availability of elevation data in Virginia. Over 35 individuals, representing local governments, state and federal agencies, universities and the private sector, participated in person or by web conference. An overview was given by VGIN, the hosting agency. Dewberry gave an informative presentation on its LiDAR project for over 3,000 square miles of coastal Virginia. FEMA talked about the requirements and benefits of better elevation data to flood risk map modernization. Sanborn presented on LiDAR data analysis and visualization. USGS presented on the National Elevation Dataset and CLICK, the LiDAR information and data clearinghouse. I hope to make these presentations available in a later post after I receive them. The group settled on a business objective and started work on a charter and work plan. Stay tuned for future posts about the initiative.