Chicago Canopy Mapping Project

Chicago Metro Area Canopy Mapping Project
A unique mapping project has just begun in Chicago with a business model that’s getting a lot of attention. NCDC Imaging of Colorado Springs, Colo., and RFP Mapping LLC of Crystal Lake, Ill., are spearheading the development of a high-resolution, land-cover mapping program covering thousands of square miles in the greater Chicago metro area. The need to map urban green space has increased dramatically in the past decade but cost has always been an issue. The project will create datasets useful for planning, budgeting and modeling on a very large scale, thus providing cost-effective, on-the-shelf GIS information for individual municipalities or collaborative, regional studies.

Urban tree canopy along with impervious surfaces, turf grass and other land cover layers will be developed at two-foot resolution for more than 280 municipalities. This information will help urban foresters improve management, set canopy cover goals, identify available planting space and monitor progress. What’s more, the comprehensive mapping data will enable partnerships with water resource and planning departments responsible for economic and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the GIS information can be incorporated into existing mapping software for public viewing, input, participation, and education on the importance of greening our cities.

Availability of this data will place Chicago and the surrounding communities at the leading edge of sustainable and collaborative green planning. Delivery of the data is expected to begin mid May, 2008.

NCDC Imaging, Colorado Springs, Colo., is a Native American-owned, non-tribal business. They provide satellite image mapping and change detection services to public utilities, local, state and the federal government. NCDC specializes in the processing and advanced analysis of high-resolution imagery. RFP Mapping, LLC, Crystal Lake, Ill., is a female majority-owned business. They specialize in providing similar mapping and analysis services to clientele in the Midwest as well as offering vertical and oblique high-resolution digital photography. Both are authorized DigitalGlobe resellers. For additional information about this project please contact www.ncdcimaging.com or www.rfpmappingllc.com.

Contact:

Bill Peel
RFP Mapping, LLC
Ph: 815-477-3480
Fax: 815-477-3498