The East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is writing Smart Growth plans (see main article, "In East Central Wisconsin, a Land Use Inventory Helps Plan a Sustainable Future") for some communities within the 10-county area as well as a regional plan that includes a vision for development of the region over the next 20 years.

According to the Commission, "The focus of the regional plan is providing strategic policy guidance to make that vision a reality. The plan will address all elements specified in the state legislation: issues and opportunities; economic development; housing; transportation; community facilities; agricultural, natural, and cultural resources; land use; and intergovernmental cooperation and implementation. Our purpose is to identify issues of regional significance and develop policy and best practice examples to help guide future land use decisions within the region."

The Commission's Technical Services staff created the Regional Land Information System (RLIS) to support Smart Growth planning programs using ArcGIS software and Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping Division's IMAGINE OrthoBASE software.

According to the Commission, "The RLIS is a set of GIS themes that can be developed in a consistent format regionwide to serve as the basis for standardized basemaps and as a tool for analysis and map production for technical staff and planners."

The Technical Services staff is responsible for creating GIS basemap and land use inventory data and generating thematic land use maps, posters, and other documents for involved parties. The land use data is also used by a variety of public agencies including the Commission's constituent counties and cities and interested state agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The adage "a picture is worth 1,000 words" is apt in east central Wisconsin as it moves into the future. It is essential to visualize current land use when planning in an area. Using GIS, planners can create a series of thematic maps that represent an area's land use. For example, efficient public facilities planning requires maps that display the location of developed and undeveloped areas. Transportation planners need to see where dwelling units and subdivisions are located to route new infrastructure. In addition, the information can assist in identifying and preserving key natural resources.

Planning for the future relies heavily on existing land use data to enable citizens and their leaders to decide what they want for their community in the forthcoming years. The economy in east central Wisconsin relies on heavy industry and outdoor recreational tourism. With thoughtful comprehensive planning, it is possible to ensure both important parts of the local economy are sustainably supported. The results of poor or no planning would be excessive impact on the environment and higher costs of providing services. With more orderly and planned development, the location of development and the protection of nondeveloped areas can be better managed. Houses, businesses, and commercial development can be kept out of environmentally sensitive areas and directed to appropriate locations. Cost-effective service delivery for new development, such as water and sewer for new subdivisions, can be efficiently provided.

For more information on spatial solutions, contact Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping Division (toll free in the United States at 1-877-463-7327 or outside the United States at 1-404-248-9000), or visit Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping on the Web (gis.leica-geosystems.com).