STREET NETWORK FILES FOR URBAN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

This thesis explores the technical and institutional issues related to the implementation and maintenance of street network files for urban planning and management. It addresses the following three questions that are critical to the successful use and maintenance of this technology: 1) How can local, regional and state agencies use street network files to develop and/or enhance existing digital basemaps in a practical and cost effective manner? 2) If street network files are to be useful useful in urban planning and management operations, how can local governments integrate this rich source of information with existing paper and digital coverages to develop and effective GIS? 3) What are the technical maintenance procedures and institutional requirements necessary to make street network file maintenance sustainable? The research is based on a combination of literature search, phone survey, and case study research. The literature search explored current Geographical Information Systems (GIS) research relevant sources. The phone survey, which was the basis for most of the findings, interviewed a number of agencies which have implemented street network file