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GIS in Housing: From Maps to Meaningful Decisions

20/02/2026

Rick Thompson,  

ODCGIS

Why Geographic Information Systems should be central to long-term planning, not a “nice to have” 

If GIS is still seen in your organisation as “the mapping tool” or something that sits quietly with a single specialist, it’s time to pause and rethink. 

Because when used properly, GIS is not about maps at all. 
It’s about understanding homes in context: environmental, social, climatic and operational, and using that understanding to make better decisions, earlier. 

Rick Thompson, Director of Operations at ODC GIS, has shared practical insight into how GIS is already being used across the sector and, more importantly, how it could be used far more effectively. 

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