Mapping the Future: How Aubrey Is Redefining Local Government with GIS

For many smaller cities, the challenge of keeping up with growth while managing resources efficiently can feel like a never-ending juggling act. From handling planning and zoning to managing utilities, the daily grind often requires finding smarter, more efficient ways to work with limited budgets and staff.

In just two years, the City of Aubrey found a way to make that leap. By adopting Geographic Information Systems (GIS), they’ve transformed the way they handle everything from urban planning to citizen services, all while keeping costs in check. Tools like Esri’s ArcGIS Online and ViewPro's GeoZone planning platform are helping the city simplify complex processes, enhance transparency, and make smarter, data-driven decisions — all while staying within budget.

Aubrey’s story is more than a tale of technology. It’s proof that even small cities can take bold steps toward a smarter, more connected future.

GIS: The Game-Changer for City Management

Aubrey’s GIS journey began with a clear goal: to prepare the city for sustainable, future-ready growth. In order to enable growth readiness, the city staff would require right tools and training where both technical and non-technical staff can leverage the technology to the fullest and bring more efficiency into their daily workflows. City leaders conducted a needs assessment, identified key areas for digitization, and committed to making data the foundation of decision-making.

The GIS Needs Assessment report identified areas within each department where Esri's ready-to-use solutions can be implemented with relatively low level of effort. The city chose's ArcGIS Online platform that is easy to implement and maintain over the enterprise solutions. The transition to ArcGIS Online didn’t just streamline operations, it redefined how the city works. Manual maps, paper forms, and disjointed spreadsheets have been replaced by real-time, cloud-based data that flows seamlessly between departments. Staff can now make faster, more accurate decisions about everything from zoning and infrastructure to permits and maintenance.

What makes Aubrey’s example especially inspiring is its scalability. The city didn’t need an enterprise-level license or a massive budget to unlock the power of GIS. By leveraging Esri’s local government licensing model, Aubrey found a cost-effective solution that delivered enterprise-level results.

Cities of all sizes, even the smallest ones can follow Aubrey’s lead by tailoring digital solutions to fit their needs without breaking the bank. Digital transformation doesn’t require big budgets, just big vision.

3D Planning: Where the Future Meets the Present

Aubrey didn’t stop at digitizing its maps — it reimagined what city planning could look like. With ViewPro's GeoZone planning & 3D mapping application, the city can now visualize proposed developments in remarkable detail, showing how new buildings, roads, or parks will fit into the existing landscape.

GeoZone: The Planning App

This approach is transforming public engagement. Citizens no longer have to interpret flat drawings or lengthy reports; instead, they can see exactly what’s planned for their neighborhoods. Whether it’s a new park or a road expansion, residents are part of the conversation from the start.

For any city looking to make planning more transparent and inclusive, Aubrey’s 3D platform offers a model for how to bring data and people together.

Utility Management in the Digital Age

Behind the scenes, Aubrey’s use of GIS is also transforming how the city manages essential services. Through ArcGIS powered utility management solutions, staff can monitor assets, track infrastructure conditions, and even predict maintenance needs before problems occur.

A key part of this transformation comes from ArcGIS Field Apps, which connect field crews directly to the city’s geospatial data. Where staff once relied on paper maps and outdated spreadsheets, they now use mobile devices to view live asset locations, update inspections, capture photos, and record maintenance in real time. All updates sync instantly with the city’s central GIS database, keeping everyone working from the same up-to-date information.

ArcGIS Field Maps

Where utility management once meant reacting to issues like water leaks or outages, it’s now a proactive process driven by real-time insights. The result? Fewer disruptions, faster response times, and a more resilient city infrastructure.

ArcGIS Solution for Water Distribution 

This is a powerful reminder: GIS isn’t just about maps — it’s about managing your entire city smarter.

AI: The Next Frontier in Citizen Interaction

Looking ahead, Aubrey is taking its digital transformation one step further with artificial intelligence. The city is deploying an AI-powered chat assistant on its website to answer zoning and permit-related questions 24/7.

From checking build potentials to verifying permit requirements, residents will soon get instant answers without waiting on hold or visiting city hall. This innovation will free up planners and staff for more complex work while improving accessibility and service delivery for citizens.

Koby: The AI Companion

AI represents the next evolution of local government. One where technology enhances efficiency and makes city services available to everyone, anytime.

A Playbook for Other Cities

Aubrey’s story isn’t about adopting every new technology — it’s about adopting the right ones strategically. City leaders started with a clear assessment of needs, prioritized key areas for digitization, and built a roadmap that balanced ambition with budget.

For smaller cities that may feel overwhelmed by digital transformation, Aubrey’s journey proves that success doesn’t depend on size. It depends on vision, planning, and persistence.

Ask yourself: What can be digitized today? What processes need the most improvement? Starting small but thinking big is the key to lasting impact.

In Conclusion: Digital Transformation for Every City

Aubrey stands as a model of what’s possible when innovation meets intention. By leveraging GIS, 3D planning, and AI, the city has not only improved operations but also strengthened its connection with the community it serves.

Whether you’re a town of 1,000 or a city of 100,000, there are lessons here for everyone. Take a page from Aubrey’s playbook: Start small, but dream big. Embrace the power of GIS, AI, and digital tools to not just run your city—transform it.