You may recall that the city of Vancouver, BC, Canada launched an open data initiative in September 2009. I received a note from Jonathan Mark, GIS Manager for the City, informing me of some major updates to the city’s Open Data web site.

The newest version has the following improvements:

  • There are now approximately 100 layers of data in all (plus several packages of data), a significant increase.
  • The data is now available in three formats (DWG, SHP, KML), while some is available in CSV and XLS.
  • Much of the data can be displayed in Google Maps or Bing Map with a single mouse click.
  • The data is more current. Routines have been set up so most of the data is extracted for the Open Data website on a weekly basis.
  • The site has been optimised for a more streamlined user experience, with data downloaded with fewer clicks.
  • The City’s RSS and GeoRSS feeds are easier to find.
  • Two data packages have been created specifically for the Integrated Cadastral Information Society to meet their specification, making it easier for them to accept and further distribute this land parcel data.

It’s great to see the city continue to stay on the forefront of the open data and government transparency movement, particularly in light of the lens they will be under in less than a month with the 2010 Winter Olympics. You can access the site at http://data.vancouver.ca/.

Read more related Spatial Sustain posts: