Most of us are aware that assessment and cadastral agencies create and maintain maps showing the location and extent of land owned by individuals, companies, and public agencies. Property owners also know that assessment and cadastral agencies maintain information on the ownership and value of all land within a jurisdiction. Integration of this information and maps results in property taxation systems that fund critical services provided by local governments to their constituents. Many of us do not realize the significance these maps and data have for the financial well-being of our society as a whole. Without legally recognized registers of ownership, value, and property location and extent, there is no efficient and legal transfer of real estate and, therefore, no basis for a real estate industry. This legal repository of land ownership, value, and location also allows a raise in capital based on the value of property. This capital can be used to purchase other property, start Businesses, and pay for higher education, among other capital-intensive activities. These assessment and taxation systems are key contributors to the economic well-being of any nation.

The ability of GIS to create and manage data and maps makes it an ideal platform on which to base assessment and land management systems. The integration of spatial map data with Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) systems is improving the accuracy of assessments, thereby ensuring fair and equitable property assessments. In addition, utilization of the routing capabilities of GIS is improving the efficiency of field appraisers. The ability to create and edit digital parcel maps is much more efficient and secure than paper-based mapping systems. The integration of aerial and satellite imagery in assessment systems puts the parcel maps into a real-world context and provides information on crop extent and new construction. Internet GIS is making this information readily available to the public, Businesses, and government agencies, reducing the time needed to obtain information and eliminating travel to the assessment agency.

In this section of ArcNews, you will see how GIS is being used by a number of property assessment and land record agencies to become more efficient. For more information, visit www.esri.com/landrecords on the Web.