Neighborhood Data Systems: A Best Practice Analysis

If neighborhood residents are to influence urban development effectively at the most local level of the neighborhood, they need information. One information foundation to ensure effective participation is a user-friendly database whereby people can quickly access information on their own neighborhood. An increasing number of cities are developing neighborhood data systems, which collect and provide data at the neighborhood level for foundations to develop better funding strategies, for governments to develop better policy, and for community organizations to develop better practice. This paper reports on the models of 19 neighborhood data system projects, most of which are affiliated with the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership. The discussion is organized around the themes of how to start, housing the system, program structure, data access, data management, end-user training, staffing, and funding.