Blog, Homepage March 21, 2017

Transforming Open Data into Knowledge

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.

1
Map 1 – Density allowed based on current zoning in the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 1, 2.]
2a
Map 2a – Existing gross built density based on 3D massing data for the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 2, 3.]
2b
Map 2b – Floor Space Index (FSI) of Every Parcel in Downtown Toronto [Data Sources: 2, 3.]
2c
Map 2c – Floor Space Index (FSI) of Every Parcel in the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 2, 3.]
3
Map 3 – Development potential based on current zoning & 3D massing data for the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 1, 2, 3.]
4
Map 4 – Population density in the City of Toronto in 2016 [Data Sources: 1, 4, 6, 7.]
5
Map 5 – Pop within 800 metres of transit stations in the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 5, 6, 7.]
6
Map 6 – Employment within 800 metres of transit stations in the City of Toronto [Data Sources: 5, 8.]
7aMap 7a – Height of every building in the Downtown Toronto [Data Sources: 3.]

7bMap 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

 

Data Source List:
1. City of Toronto Open Data “Zoning By-Law” file. Accessed March 10, 2017 from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5a9923e69b4a6410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
2. City of Toronto Open Data “Property Boundaries” file. Accessed March 10, 2017 from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=c3a11a23871b9310VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
3. City of Toronto Open Data “3D Massing” file. Accessed March 10, 2017 from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=d431d477f9a3a410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCR. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
4. City of Toronto Open Data “Parks” file. Accessed March 10, 2017 from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=da6389fe9c18b210VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
5. City of Toronto Open Data “TTC Routes and Schedules” file. Accessed March 17, 2017 from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=96f236899e02b210VgnVCM1000003dd60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=1a66e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto.
6. Statistics Canada Open Data “2016 Dissemination Block Digital Boundary” file. Accessed Online February 28, 2017 from: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/bound-limit/bound-limit-2016-eng.cfm.
7. Statistics Canada Open Data “GeoSuite Population Totals by Dissemination Block”. Accessed online February 28, 2017 from: http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/ref/geosuite-eng.cfm.
8. DMTI Spatial Inc. “Enhanced Points of Interest, v2013.3” Accessed under license for research purposes via UBC Abacus Dataverse Network. http://hdl.handle.net.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/11272/10095.

Comments are closed.