Digital
Embracing new digital technologies.
How can GIS support data-driven decisions in complex projects?
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are comprehensive platforms that support the management, analysis and integration of spatial and non‑spatial data. GIS brings complex datasets together into visual formats like maps and dashboards, while also providing the analytical backbone for a wide range of applications.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are comprehensive platforms that support the management, analysis and integration of spatial and non‑spatial data. GIS brings complex datasets together into visual formats like maps and dashboards, while also providing the analytical backbone for a wide range of applications.
GIS is critical to digital transformation, enabling organisations to visualise, analyse and act on spatial data. This enhances decision-making, operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement when undertaking projects.
GIS transforms raw, often complex datasets into clear, accessible outputs such as dashboards, symbolised maps and data reports, making information easier for non‑GIS users to understand and supporting faster, more confident decision‑making.
How does GIS address challenges faced by decision-makers?
Decision-makers are often overloaded with large volumes of project data from varied sources and formats. GIS helps make sense of it all by gathering and combining detailed data into a single, location-based system. This allows teams to centralize information on interactive maps, making it easier to organise, visualise and interpret in ways that support planning and coordination.
Beyond data integration, GIS simplifies project reporting by automating routine tasks. Instead of manually compiling documents, teams can produce real-time dashboards and reports that reflect the most up-to-date information. This saves time and helps maintain accuracy and consistency across project records.
GIS also helps build trust by aligning data management with recognised standards. This is particularly valuable for feasibility studies and regulatory submissions, where consistency and reliability are important. GIS can become a practical decision-support tool that adds value throughout the project lifecycle and addresses a lot of these common challenges.
How is GIS applied to solve sector-specific challenges?
GIS is widely used across industries to support better planning, analysis and decision-making, helping teams achieve more effective project outcomes.
Energy sector
GIS plays a key role in identifying suitable sites for major infrastructure as well as evaluating renewable energy options by analysing terrain, environmental sensitivities, indigenous territories, legal boundaries, constructability constraints and existing infrastructure. These functions help energy providers make well-informed choices that consider technical needs, environmental factors and regulatory requirements.
Environment
GIS contributes to the assessment of natural systems and the modelling of environmental conditions. It allows teams to study rainfall patterns, simulate stormwater flow and pinpoint areas that may be at risk of flooding or erosion. These insights support more informed planning and help reduce potential impacts on the surrounding landscape.
GIS is increasingly used to assess environmental risks and guide mitigation strategies. As an example, GHD supported a Canadian city in Ontario by applying spatial analytics to evaluate salt vulnerability during winter operations. The project mapped chloride migration from road salt application zones to sensitive receptors such as lakes, wetlands and drinking water sources. This enabled the city to identify high-risk areas and implement targeted measures to protect water quality. The outcome highlights how GIS can support environmentally responsible decision-making and help meet regulatory requirements.
GIS is increasingly used to assess environmental risks and guide mitigation strategies. As an example, GHD supported a Canadian city in Ontario by applying spatial analytics to evaluate salt vulnerability during winter operations. The project mapped chloride migration from road salt application zones to sensitive receptors such as lakes, wetlands and drinking water sources. This enabled the city to identify high-risk areas and implement targeted measures to protect water quality. The outcome highlights how GIS can support environmentally responsible decision-making and help meet regulatory requirements.
Natural resources management
GIS is used to map natural resources such as watercourses, monitor ecological needs and support conservation planning. Bringing together detailed spatial data, it helps teams identify sensitive areas, track environmental changes and plan interventions that align with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
Sebastopol City used GIS to enhance its environmental planning. The city upgraded its water and wastewater systems map through GIS, systematically cataloguing infrastructure and environmental assets. Planners were able to identify landscape vulnerabilities, improve asset management, coordinate sustainable interventions across departments and support long-term stewardship efforts.
Sebastopol City used GIS to enhance its environmental planning. The city upgraded its water and wastewater systems map through GIS, systematically cataloguing infrastructure and environmental assets. Planners were able to identify landscape vulnerabilities, improve asset management, coordinate sustainable interventions across departments and support long-term stewardship efforts.
Emergency management
GIS supports emergency response by enabling fast data collection and clear visualisation during incidents such as wildfires, derailments, floods or hurricanes. Real-time dashboards allow teams to monitor changing conditions, share updates and coordinate actions across different locations. This helps responders act quickly and stay aligned throughout the emergency.
Building on this capability, our digital team developed a custom GIS portal for a major transport client, enabling rapid data capture and near real-time spatial analysis during rail emergencies. The solution enhanced decision-making in both immediate response and long-term remediation, particularly where environmental and safety risks were involved.
Building on this capability, our digital team developed a custom GIS portal for a major transport client, enabling rapid data capture and near real-time spatial analysis during rail emergencies. The solution enhanced decision-making in both immediate response and long-term remediation, particularly where environmental and safety risks were involved.
Real estate
GIS is used to assess land suitability, support site selection for facilities and guide land acquisition strategies. By providing location-based insights, it helps teams compare different sites, understand environmental and planning constraints, and identify areas that meet project requirements. This supports clearer decision-making across industries, especially when balancing technical, environmental and regulatory considerations.
Water infrastructure
GIS helps water utilities understand how their networks perform and where attention is needed. It brings asset data, hydraulic behaviour and field observations into a single spatial view, meaning teams can spot issues earlier and plan improvements with greater clarity.
Partnering with Aqua America on a CCTV-GIS solution, we worked with Autodesk and Esri tools to create a mapping environment that linked pipe condition videos, inspection records and spatial attributes. Crews could view defect information directly on the network map. Engineers used the same view to compare condition trends, assess critical locations and prioritise sewer rehabilitation programs. Using GIS reduced manual data handling and gave everyone a shared view of asset performance.
We apply similar methods across water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Operators can use GIS to monitor live sensor feeds through web maps. Field teams can capture asset updates on mobile devices. Planners can assess renewal options using spatial analysis that highlights risk, capacity limitations and community projects.
When all these inputs come together, utilities gain a clearer pathway for maintenance planning, service reliability, operational decisions and long-term capital investment.
Partnering with Aqua America on a CCTV-GIS solution, we worked with Autodesk and Esri tools to create a mapping environment that linked pipe condition videos, inspection records and spatial attributes. Crews could view defect information directly on the network map. Engineers used the same view to compare condition trends, assess critical locations and prioritise sewer rehabilitation programs. Using GIS reduced manual data handling and gave everyone a shared view of asset performance.
We apply similar methods across water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Operators can use GIS to monitor live sensor feeds through web maps. Field teams can capture asset updates on mobile devices. Planners can assess renewal options using spatial analysis that highlights risk, capacity limitations and community projects.
When all these inputs come together, utilities gain a clearer pathway for maintenance planning, service reliability, operational decisions and long-term capital investment.
How GHD can help
Our teams bring different types of project data into one place and use GIS to turn that information into clear, defensible insights. GIS allows us to support feasibility work, risk assessments and strategic planning.
We apply GIS in ways that match the needs of each project. In some cases, this may mean combining datasets to give a clearer picture of conditions. In other cases, it may mean running spatial analysis or creating maps that help people understand the story behind the data.
As environmental, regulatory and operational demands grow, GIS offers a way to turn complex information into location-based insight. Our digital intelligence services build on this, integrating structured and unstructured data and using analytics and artificial intelligence to highlight patterns that support quicker, more confident decisions.
Our work was recognised through Esri’s Special Achievement in GIS Award, reflecting how we apply geospatial capability across a wide range of projects. Recent examples include siting renewable energy infrastructure, strengthening stakeholder engagement and supporting regulatory analysis in places where geography plays a central role.
Want to go deeper?
See how cutting edge GIS analysis is transforming winter road management and safeguarding precious natural resources. Dive into powerful strategies that keep roads clear and the environment protected.
Related services
-
-
Digital Experience
Technology, process, people: Unlocked
-
Digital Intelligence
Deriving insights and translating into action.