Neptis, in association with the Cartography Office, Department of Geography at the University of Toronto, is exploring advanced methods for describing, analyzing and visualizing urban regions using geographic information systems. Our geomatics research program is aimed at developing an online urban atlas. Neptis has four main purposes in building an urban atlas.
- To inform scholars, decision-makers, and the public on issues related to urban form and physical structure.
- To explore new methods of describing, characterizing, and analyzing regional growth.
- To provide interactive web facilities so that researchers and students can interact with regional data sets for specific purposes.
- To facilitate the comparison of urban regions.
The Atlas is currently under development. Initially static maps (pdf, gif, jpeg) will be offered that draw from Neptis research projects. In future, however, we will offer interactive maps that researchers can use to deepen their knowledge of urban regions.