Website Upgrade: Cartographic Modeling Lab

Posted by on May 20, 2005

The Cartographic Modeling Lab (CML) launched an enhanced version of its popular neighborhoodBase application on April 12, 2005. An integral part of the Neighborhood Information System (NIS), neighborhoodBase allows users to easily access housing, land use, ownership, real estate tax, vacancy, and U.S. Census data for Philadelphia neighborhoods.

The updated version of neighborhoodBase features new functionality and data sets. In particular, the application now permits users to define their own neighborhood boundaries, which can then be used as the geographic level for data aggregation. Also, the new trend chart function available in neighborhoodBase allows users to track changes in their neighborhood between 1999 and the present. NeighborhoodBase is accessible at http://www.cml.upenn.edu/nbase.

?Many residents and community organizations know intuitively what is happening in their neighborhood, but do not recognize the macro level implications of the vacant lot next door or the rising property values on their block,? said Emily Kahoe, the GIS Associate at the CML. ?The new NeighborhoodBase allows them to have access to the information that City decision makers are using, so that they can see and truly understand the dynamics within and among their communities.?

NeighborhoodBase is part of the larger Neighborhood Information System, which was created in 1999 by the CML. Funded by the William Penn Foundation and the City?s Office of Housing and Community Development, the Neighborhood Information System is a family of interactive applications that allow you to find information about your neighborhood. The NIS uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS), computer software that ties data to maps. For example, a street map of Philadelphia will show you where things are located. GIS allows you to show where things like housing sale and population changes are taking place.