A free digital toolkit allowing communities to collect, analyze, and share their own data will be launched nationally at the end of the year.
"LocalData," writes Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan, "disrupts convention by putting expert tools in the hands of communities, letting everyone get their hands (digitally) dirty with an easy-to-understand interface." Developed by 2012 Code for America fellows Alicia Rouault, Matt Hampel, and Prashant Singh, the app is "poised to revolutionize how communities collect and leverage data."
"All across the nation, community groups are out in their neighborhoods, collecting information about where they live," says Rouault. "But they're doing it in a cumbersome way." Campbell-Dollaghan explains, "Typically, this process is divided between on-the-ground volunteers who collect the data, and urban planners who glean meaning from it." LocalData helps communities analyze and visualize the data they collect without professional assistance.
The app, which has been field-tested by local advocates in Detroit, works by allowing a community to easily create a survey and record results on their smartphones. The collected information is automatically visualized, mapped, and made downloadable for further analysis. Campbell Dollaghan notes, "With the free toolkit, the people who are culling the data--who arguably know the most about the issues at hand--can crunch it, too."
The national launch of LocalData is slated for the end of the year, and the developers intend for the app to remain free. "We tried to make it [LocalData] as inclusive as possible," Rouault adds. "We're really proud of that thinking."
FULL STORY: LocalData, An App That Helps Communities Do Their Own Urban Planning

Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

‘Mega-Landlords’ Threaten Housing Stability for Renters
As institutional investors buy up a larger share of single-family homes, the families renting them are increasingly vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.

More Funds to Transform the Puente Hills Landfill into a Regional Park
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors just approved an additional $28 million to support the development of the Puente Hills Regional Park at the landfill site.

Denver Freeway Widening Plans on Hold
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s plan to widen the Interstate 25 freeway through Denver is one of a few plans to widen urban freeways under consideration in the United States.

Public Perceptions of Sprawl and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Urban density has a bad reputation.
Clarion Associates
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.