GIS Maps out Harvey Disaster Response
The primary mission of the Planning & Development (P&D) Department's Geographic Information System (GIS) Division is to serve the Geographic Information System and geospatial needs of the City of Houston, across departments, and among staff and citizens.The ability to analyze and show data by specific geographic areas provides both citizens and the City a powerful
| |
|
 |
Zach Oyer, Laura Waddle, Braniff Davis, and GIS Manager Larry Nierth provided crucial mapping services to the Houston Emergency Center during Harvey. (Analysts Joel Avery and Joel Casas are not pictured) |
tool. During Hurricane Harvey, the GIS team remained at the forefront of Hurricane Harvey response, as a city-wide, top tier emergency response resource.
P&D's significant mapping capabilities were relied upon heavily by government officials and first responders ranging from the City's Police and Fire Departments, to Harris County agencies, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Judge Ed Emmett and other elected officials, to formulate and coordinate emergency action plans and rescues throughout the Houston-Galveston area. Members of our GIS Division that included Larry Nierth, Joel Avery, Joel Casas, Braniff Davis, Zach Oyer, and Lauren Waddle, were stationed at the Houston Emergency Center for several days, before and after Hurricane Harvey. Their working long hours, around the clock, benefitted Houston area emergency efforts and countless of citizens.
|
|
Recovery Tools
Citizens can access P&D's geographic data on the GIS Portal's Houston
Map Viewer
to view similar maps used by first responders during Hurricane Harvey.
HoustonRecovers.org has complete Hurricane Harvey city disaster recovery information.
You can volunteer, donate, register for assistance, and get city and partner updates from this source.
Ready.gov
offers important preparedness information, regarding terrorist attacks, weather issues, and other possible incidents.
|
|
| Ready.gov has resources to help residents assist themselves and neighbors during disasters |
Harvey By The Numbers: The city has launched a website with interactive maps to illustrate the effects of Hurricane Harvey. The website includes information on damage, calls for service, and debris removal. The information is available in multiple languages and interested parties can sign up for email updates.
Keep Houston Rolling: Houston BCycle Keeps Houston Rolling by donating bicycles to those impacted by Harvey! Half a million cars were lost in Houston alone due to Harvey. If you lost a vehicle, consider applying for a free bike at Houston BCycle. Bike share stations are are also available for use in the downtown area and surrounding neighbhorhoods, and is an important component of the City's Transportation Plan.
|
|
| Anna Sedillo, Project Manager for the BCycle Expansion, at the Lost Lakes Station |
|
Departmental Updates
Walkable Places Committee: Since the beginning of 2017, the Committee has had a broad discussion regarding how to promote walkable places in Houston. At the October 4th meeting, the walkable places element menu and application process will be considered. Visit the
Walkable Places Committee page
for meeting details.
Houston Heights Historic Districts Design Guidelines: Three Houston Heights Historic Districts (East, West, and South) have revised draft guidelines available for public comment through October 6, 2017. A final draft will be presented to the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission, before going to City Council for consideration and adoption.
Complete Communities:
Join Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Planning & Development Department, and other community representatives to kick off the rescheduled Complete Communities meetings. Go to the Complete Communities page for more information and meeting updates.
| Acres Home |
Third Ward |
Near Northside |
Second Ward |
Gulfton |
Wednesday, Oct 18th
6 - 8 pm
Acres Home Multi-Service Center
6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
Houston, TX 77091 |
Monday, Oct 30th
6 - 8 pm
Emancipation Park Cultural Center
3018 Emancipation Ave.
Houston, TX 77004 |
Thursday, Nov 2nd
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Marshall Middle School
1115 Noble Street
Houston, TX 77009
|
Monday, Nov 6th
6 - 8 pm
Location TBD
|
Thursday, Nov 9th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star Drive
Houston, TX 77074 |
Fast Facts
National Night Out: The 34th Annual Houston/Harris County National Night Out campaign is taking place on October 3rd, from 6 - 9 pm. For more information or to register your neighborhood, please
call the police station nearest to your community, or click here for a list of stations and storefronts.
Scenic Cities: The City of Houston was recertified as a Texas Certified Scenic City by Scenic Texas. The Scenic City Certification is a prestigious certification program that supports and recognizes cities for commitment to high-quality scenic standards for public roadways and public spaces.
|
|
|
|
Planner Carlos Espinoza y Sanchez with students at Burnet Elementary School
|
|
Civic Engagement:
The Department responds to educational requests throughout the year. Houston APA (American Planning Association) member and P&D Development Services Planner Carlos Espinoza y Sanchez spoke with career-fair hosts and kids from Burnet Elementary School
about planning as a career through HISD's Volunteers in Schools (VIPs) Program.
|
|
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
