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[Ms. B. Havin]

This might be in the wrong section/ thread, but since it pertains to economic impact (including tourism), I put it here. Alas, it's also about Nanaimo (not Victoria), but maybe Victoria needs to see this and pull its socks up?? (Via Civic Info BC[/url:c561e])

Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Nanaimo on Top of Google Earth
By City of Nanaimo

NANAIMO - Google is a world-wide phenomenon for searching the Internet, and for its mapping technology showcased by the incredible Google Earth. A virtual globe overlaid with rich geographic detail, satellite images, 3-D terrain and buildings, wrapped into a user-friendly package allowing anyone with a computer to travel the world and experience a treasure house of information.

Google Earth uses "open standards" technology allowing organizations and even individuals to share information all over the planet. Nanaimo was cited in a recent Vancouver Sun article by Google Earth's Chief Technology Officer, Michael Jones, who said "Nanaimo is the most active city in the world when it comes to supplying geographic data to Google Earth… Their citizens have more information about their city than the people of San Francisco." (Vancouver Sun, July 27, 2007)

If we "Google" some quick population stats, we find that Nanaimo is the 34th largest city in the 35th largest country on our planet. So how does this little city stand out among the likes of New York, London, and Tokyo in its presence on Google Earth?

City Manager, Jerry Berry says, "It's the innovation and creativity in our IT department which is allowed to flourish by a supportive Council. I often think we don't do enough awareness for our citizens about many of the good things that go on in the City corporate, and this recognition from Google is absolutely worth crowing about."

Per Kristensen, the City's Chief Information Officer says it's all about cooperation. "We have a wealth of resources from many City departments, and some very creative GIS (Geographical Information Systems) staff who are real Google Earth fans. If you've got the information and the talent to put it to good use, it makes sense to share it."

Mayor Gary Korpan says "This is good for Nanaimo on so many levels. It's good for our citizens, for our business community, and of course it's great for tourism and economic development. I'm really proud of our people here and what they're doing to put us on the map."

If you'd like to see what Nanaimo has to offer on Google Earth, visit earth.nanaimo.ca and take a tour under the "Data" link.

For additional information about how Nanaimo is using Google Earth, please contact Per Kristensen, Chief Information Officer, City of Nanaimo. Phone 250-755-4418 or email per.kristensen@nanaimo.ca.

* [url=http://www.nanaimo.ca/uploadedfiles/Site_Structure/Corporate_Services/Corporate_Administration/NR070731GoogleEarth.pdf:c561e]View the full text of this press release[/url:c561e].
* [url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=9a331eff-ae47-4609-b7cf-3452a742c64a&k=55008:c561e]View the article in the Vancouver Sun[/url:c561e].
[url="http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/302n.asp?newsid=2272"]http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/302n.asp?newsid=2272

Nanaimo?

From the Vancouver Sun article referenced above:

Google Earth relies on Web users and organizations to supply information about specific areas of their maps. This includes transit information - a hit on a button for the Google map of Seattle will show you which buses run on which streets, where they go, and when they reach specific bus stops.
Government input could include information on highway construction projects, so local residents and visitors to the area would know where they might encounter a delay. In the case of B.C., Google could also have access to the data and images banked in the Integrated Land and Resource Registry, which gives detailed information about all areas of the province.

And from the same article, this fascinating bit -- consider that Microsoft will open an office in Richmond, BC:

Bell said he hopes working with Google will lead to a stronger B.C. presence by the Web company.
"There's nothing I'd like better than to attract Google to a major office in British Columbia," said Bell.