https://libguides.princeton.edu/c.php?

g=84150&p=542862

Getting Started
What is GIS? A GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying
geographically referenced information; that is, data identified according to location. Practitioners also
define a GIS as including the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go into the system.

Why is it important to urban planners and architects? GIS can be used for inventory and analysis (especially
3D analysis), is useful when studying urban developments or renewal, and for preparing 3D views, images
or animations by using satellite images or aerial photographs.

Who Can Help?

The Digital Map and Geospatial Information Center is located in the Lewis Library’s Fine Hall Wing. The
Center provides access to paper maps, geospatial data, digital map services and geographic information
systems (GIS). In addition, they provide ongoing reference, research consultation and instruction to all
levels of user experience in our facility or in your office or classroom. The Center has eight workstations
with 30-inch monitors loaded with GIS and satellite image processing software packages, and commonly
used geographic data. Faculty, students, staff and others in the Princeton University community are
welcome to contact or visit the Center for additional information.

Online Map Resources

Digital Map and Geographic Data: The Princeton University Library Digital Maps and Geospatial Center's
database includes paper maps and aerial photographs; all the paper maps were scanned at 400 dpi with
256 colors; aerial photographs were scanned at 800 dpi.

GEOMAP is the online catalog of Princeton University Library's Map Collection.

The catalog does not yet hold records for all maps in the collection. Currently the Map Collection houses
over 325,000 maps. If upon searching GEOMAP, you are not successful in locating what you need or have
questions about the collection, please contact the Map Room Staff.

Digital Sanborn Maps (1867-1970): Sanborn fire insurance maps contain detailed information on urban
structures, property boundaries, and streets. Provides historical information on the history, growth, and
development of American cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

Fire Insurance Maps Online: Provides access to a digital collection of historical color fire insurance maps, real estate
atlases, and similar land use maps for North America. High definition, color and gray-scale images display important
historical details not visible on black and white map scans. Includes map research tools and search tips to make
finding maps for a specific location easy. Maps include publications by Sanborn, Perris, Hexamer, Whipple, Baist,
Bromley, Hopkins and others.

Historic Map Works: Digitized maps and atlases, plus associated illustrations and city directories. Includes
cadastral maps of the U.S. Covers the world from the 15th-20th centuries.

Philadelphia neighborhoodBase: This is a publicly-accessible, web-based, geographic data application

developed by the University of Pennsylvania's Cartographic Modeling Lab. Along with parcelBase,
muralBase, and crimeBase, neighborhoodBase is one of four applications that comprise the Neighborhood
Information System. The neighborhoodBase website is designed to assist community-based planning and
development organizations, government agencies, researchers and concerned individuals in their efforts
to analyze, transform and revitalize Philadelphia neighborhoods.

Internet Resources

 Green Map System

Features 635+ international map projects used to connect users with green living,
nature, social and cultural resources. Example green maps incl. Atlantic Highlands, San
Francisco, and Baltimore Regional.

 New York State GIS Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse, operated by the NY State Office of Cyber Security & Critical
Infrastructure Coordination, disseminates information about the statewide GIS
Coordination Program and provides access to the NY State GIS Data and Metadata
Repository. Here, state agencies and local governments list GIS data sets that they have
and users can browse or search for specific keywords, to find out what data is available,
who holds it, who holds it, and how it can be obtained.

 UCLA's Urban Simulation Team

A project building a real-time virtual reality model of the entire Los Angeles basin for use
by architects, urban planners, emergency response teams, and government entities.
Completed areas incl. major sections of the city including downtown, Exposition Park,
the Pico Union district, El Pueblo, Mid-Wilshire, Wilshire-"Miracle Mile", LAX, Westwood,
UCLA, Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St., MacArthur Park, Playa Vista, and a portion of
South Central.

 World Gazetteer

World Gazetteer provides a comprehensive set of population data and related statistics.

 National Geographic EarthPulse

From Nat'l Geographic, this online resource maps and compares global trends. Features
related essays, photo galleries, and information graphics.

Related concepts/keywords
These are some related concepts and keywords to Urban Studies. Try using them in
the Library Catalog or your favorite Urban Studies Database
  Mapping the City
 Networked City
 Promoting Cities
 The Resilient City
 Sustainable Urbanism
 The Televised City
 Transportation and the City
 Urban Design
 Urban History
 Urban Renewal
 Urbanism and Ethnic Identity

Related Topics in Urban Studies

This section contains additional resources and search strategies for topics related to
Urban Studies, including:

 Housing
 New Urbanism
 Olympics and the City
 South Asian Urban Studies

Journals / Articles

 Sociological Abstracts


Indexes journal articles, book chapters, & reviews from over 1,900 journals,
books, book chapters, and reviews in the social sciences. Excellent source for
public policy topics.

 SCOPUS


International coverage of journal articles, selected web sites, and patents in the
sciences, social sciences, and humanities; provides citation tracking for 1996+

General Web Resources

Housing Information Gateway: An elaboration of The Encyclopedia of Housing which offers essays on
issues ranging from Abandonment to Zoning.

Joint Center for Housing Studies (Harvard University): Center website focuses on housing in the United
States, featuring full text of many of JCHS publications.
KnowledgePlex: A "comprehensive interactive resource for the affordable housing and community
development field." Registration (free) is required to access some of the material on this web page.

Construction statistics (U.S. Census Bureau) Comprehensive site for U.S. housing construction data.

HUD user--housing data sets (U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) Terrific site for U.S.
housing data and information.