Southwark rejects Google in Web map deal

Residents will be able to zoom in on particular areas in the Borough to see if they are conservation areas, contain controlled parking zones, or to check the progress of planning applications its Corporate GIS Manager Stuart Carter told PublicTechnology.net.

 

GIS – Geographical Information Systems – is the combination of maps and databases so as to enrich the former. Southwark, using software from Pitney Bowes Business Insight, says the use of GIS offers a great way to make its website both more useful and also more “Web 2.0,” says Carter.

 

The Council did not choose what some may see as the “obvious” choice of Google Earth, he says, because of issues with proprietary APIs and lack of clarity over appropriate use of Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright map data.

 

“We have tried to make this very easy to use and offering the maximum of functionality with minimum fuss,” he added.

 

The next step will be within a six month period to add an ability for citizens to type in their post code and get a detailed but easily navigable view of their area, down to the local ward level with details such as name of councillor for the area and so on.

 

The software in question is called Stratus Connect. 

 

“We are creating in effect a spatial data infrastructure here,” adds Carter.