TECHNOLOGY
Dissolving Boundaries
What is ArcGIS? ArcGIS is a proprietary tool developed by Esri, a company specializing in mapping and analytics software: essentially, ArcGIS embeds “location intelligence” to help users understand a place more fully. For
ArcGIS as a Tool for Authentic Engagement
the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, ArcGIS integrates many layers of data with geographic maps, making it easier for teams to analyze the natural and
Designing the built environment never
manmade systems that impact a
happens in a vacuum. From a small
site.
residential lot to a rural greenfield site to a city plan, every project
At a basic level, ArcGIS is especially
begins with a process of discovery:
useful in the early stages of a
what are the environmental and
project when designers are seeking
cultural forces acting on a particular
to understand key site elements
site, and how will these forces inform
such as topography, hydrology,
the design solution? Increasingly,
infrastructure, area demographics,
designers are tapping into the power
and other data before beginning
of geographic information systems
design. As the project progresses,
(GIS) to streamline and supercharge
however, the most skilled ArcGIS
this process. Of these digital tools for
users can also tap into advanced
spatial analysis, ArcGIS is one of the
capabilities including integration
most widely used.
with building information modeling (BIM), digital twin technology to facilitate real-time documentation and monitoring during construction, and reality capture using an array of systems to assist with ongoing building operations.