CUNY Mapping Service

The CUNY Mapping Service at CUR engages with foundations, government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and other CUNY researchers to use spatial information and analysis techniques to develop and execute applied research projects. The project is directed by Steven Romalewski, who joined the Center for Urban Research in January 2006.  Our team includes Will Field, Valerie Bauer, and other graduate students over the years.

The CUNY Master Plan 2016-2020  highlights the Mapping Service as an example of how the Center for Urban Research, along with other CUNY research centers, helps to further CUNY's expertise in urban issues. (see pp. 93-94 of the Master Plan)

We specialize in the development of online applications that provide intuitive access to powerful data sets, displayed visually through interactive maps and in other formats.

Other activities of the Mapping Service include:

  • using spatial information and analysis techniques to develop and execute applied research projects on a grant-funded or fee-for-service basis with government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations;

  • using spatial analysis techniques to assist CUNY, government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to undertake strategic planning;

  • furthering the development of the OASIS NYC partnership;
  • consulting with groups in other cities engaged in similarly collaborative web-based projects;

  • enhancing the delivery of other interactive online mapping applications;

  • providing educational services around geographic information systems (GIS) through workshops, seminars, conference presentations, continuing education programs, and in collaboration with other institutions; and

  • participating in computer mapping and data access networks in New York and nationally.

The Mapping Service also helps support CUR's work including the use of spatial analysis techniques to help CUNY's Central Office advance the mission of the university.

Our Research

Unit Director

Steven Romalewski

Director, CUNY Mapping Service, Center for Urban Research

Our Students

The Mapping Service has been honored to work with several outstanding CUNY PhD students over the years, including:

  • Currently enrolled in Lehman College's Geographic Information Science program.
  • Projects include maps & data analysis for an upcoming online mapping application for the New York Academy of Medicine's Age Friendly NYC project, compiling and analyzing maps & data for the Census 2020 "hard to count" map, & more.
  • Worked with the Mapping Service January through September 2017.
  • Graduate of Lehman College's Geographic Information Science program. Projects included maps & data analysis for an upcoming online mapping application for the New York Academy of Medicine's Age Friendly NYC project, compiling and analyzing data for the Census 2020 "hard to count" map, updating the LI Index Historical Census Atlas with data from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey, & more.
  • Position after CUR: Spatial analyst at Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Find Simon on LinkedIn

  • Worked with the Mapping Service from 2014 to 2016.
  • Projects included maps & data analysis for the NYC Campaign Finance Board's report on the 2013 municipal election cycle, data analysis & cartographic design for the Long Island Index Historical Census Atlas, and assistance with the development of an online mapping platform for the Brooklyn Waterfront Research Center.

Find Adam on LinkedIn

  • Worked with the Mapping Service from 2009 to 2013.
  • Projects included data analysis and maps for the Long Island Index, extensive data analysis & cartographic design for the NYC Election Atlas, cartographic design & map development for the 2000-2010 Census Comparinator, digitizing historic NYC neighborhood maps for the 1940s New York project; and much more.
  • Position after CUR: NYC Emergency Management GIS team

View Kristen's profile

  • Worked with the Mapping Service from 2007 to 2012
  • Projects included maps & spatial analysis of Long Island demographics for the Hagedorn Foundation; and development of a Postgres/PostGIS archive of Census & workforce data.
  • Position after CUR: Visiting Assistant Professor at Farmingdale State College.

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