This project included the creation of a polygon-based GIS containing 300,000 property parcels in Trinidad and Tobago along with the mapping of all existing structures. The GIS formed the basis for conducting on-site appraisals and valuations. The purpose of this GIS phase of the project was the development of a digital GIS product that includes digital property parcels. The digital parcels were created from existing hard-copy maps and they were geospatially located using a digital planimetric landbase that was of the required map accuracy, allowing georeferencing of the parcels to the same level of accuracy.

Our regionalized approach to overall GIS database distribution co-located the GIS with the Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal and Automated Valuation Model (CAMA/AVM) systems. The resulting information was then plotted for use by the field appraisers. During on-site inspections, changes were noted directly on the plots. The revised information was then used to update the digital data to reflect the actual on-site conditions. By including an appraisal level GIS, these datasets will play an interactive role in the future management of properties in terms of transactions (sales), reappraisals, property splits, etc.