New Interactive Mapping Tool Tracks all of NYC's Infrastructure Projects, Housing Permits, and City Facilities

The New Your City Department of City Planning (DCP) last week launched the Capital Planning Explorer, a new, map-based website aimed at increasing transparency around capital planning, according to a DCP press release. The Capital Planning Explorer website describes the new tool as "a place for the public and planners to access the maps and data that they need to better plan for investments in neighborhoods and collaborate with one another."

The map offers three layers: Capital Projects, Facilities, and New Housing Developments. The Housing Development maps, for example, include all housing permits in all five boroughs, color-coded by new construction, building alterations, or demolitions. "This supplemental information on the number and types of housing units found on any city block is key to the city’s planning processes for capital projects," according to the website.

According to the Capital Planning Explorer website, the tool uses derived from the Capital Commitment Plan published by the city's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in addition to supporting data from Checkbook NYC, a resource provided by the comptroller, and spatial data from but not limited to data created and published by DDC, DPR,ORR, and DCP. All datasets are available for download.

The press release included soundbites from DCP Director Anita Laremont, who touts the new tool as emblematic of work by the DCP to build more trust and transparency.