Natural Infrastructure

"Infrastructure: the substructure or underlying foundation on which the continuance and growth of a community or state depends."
-Webster's New World Dictionary

SPC, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and the Heinz Endowments, are sponsoring a project to examine the natural infrastructure of southwestern Pennsylvania.

From the Allegheny Mountains, to the rivers and streams, to the unique habitats, and the underlying geology, southwestern Pennsylvania is rich in natural resources and amenities. By identifying these elements and conducting analysis on their relationships to our communities, local governments can use these as a competitive advantage in today's economy.

This "natural infrastructure", which provides a broad array of services, products, and recreational opportunities, is a focal point for retaining and attracting residents and companies to the region.

By leveraging the GIS and data capabilities of SPC, the project sponsors are developing an important tool for planning across the region. Not only will Natural Infrastructure provide a broad look across the counties, but local governments can also incorporate their own data to refine the analysis and expand the GIS capabilities within their community, ultimately leading to an improved planning process.

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