The combination of Open Source Data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides an opportunity to
transform raw data into knowledge that can support evidence-based decision making.
A recent example of this is a set of maps released by Anthony Smith, a planning, design and engagement consultant based in Toronto. These maps were created in his personal time and shared via his @HealthyCityMaps Twitter account. Anthony holds a Master of Planning in Urban Development from Ryerson University and a BA in Geography from UBC.
To create the set of Maps shown below he used open data from the City of Toronto and Statistics Canada.
Please note that CanU is sharing these maps to highlight an example of the exciting work being accomplished through open source data, not as a CanU vetted resource. We encourage you to explore the resources used to create these maps and take some time to digest the intriguing information provided by them.
Map 7a – Height of every building in the Downtown Toronto [Data Sources: 3.]
Map 7b – Height of every building in the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 3.]
A big thank you to Anthony for sharing his maps with us! You can follow him on Twitter @HealthyCityMaps for more open data to knowledge transformations!
Have some great maps you want us to share? Tweet them to us @CanUrbanism!
Written by: Jamie Unwin | BA, MES Planning | CanU Executive Coordinator
