89 A clean slate view of what exists and the extent of what could be built based on zoning helps planners refine and relate what the area could become. (Screenshot courtesy of Sandy Springs) something and show it to the public, the public has a way to see what it could be versus what it is now.” Cycling and walking have become more common ways to get around town, so the city is working to add miles of connected paths, trails, and boardwalks. As the work progresses, Lawlor’s team makes changes to GIS maps. “Ever since the city became its own entity, there’s been a lot more interest in families being able to walk places,” Lawlor said. “It just shows how generations have changed.” Amid all the changes, GIS helps city leaders ensure the town doesn’t lose desirable aspects of its past, such as green space. Lawlor has used GIS and AI-derived tree canopy analysis from Nearmap. “We compared our traditional method with the AI, and we found that AI was much more accurate,” Lawlor said. “Moving forward, we’re just using AI.” Much of the city’s tree canopy loss, she’s discovered, is occurring near where I-285 is being widened. A halfcentury later, the expressway that pulled Sandy Springs into Atlanta’s orbit is still shaping the city. But now, city planners have the tools to observe how and where such changes impact residents. Planning and Designing Better Communities
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