Open Data

Open Data
ataD nepO
Open and map your Gov 2.0 data with ArcGIS®.

“Publishing data as map services is one of the most valuable ways to communicate
and collaborate. Maps enable an immediate understanding of the patterns and
relationships the information portrays.” —Esri President Jack Dangermond

Make the Most of
Open Data with GIS
Open government initiatives are bringing a new wealth
of public data to the open Web, enabling citizens
and government to share a common picture of the
intelligence that drives decisions across the nation. Like
the Gov 2.0 movement, open government promotes
transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement
and recognizes that Web 2.0 technologies allow
stakeholders to access information and collaborate
online as never before.

The true value of opening government
data lies in how agencies and the public
put it to use. Providing access to data is
an essential first step, but sharing it in an
informative format is the key to fostering a
new level of government communication and
efficiency. Geographic information system (GIS)
technology unlocks the potential of open data
by bringing it into an enlightening spatial context,
enabling individuals and government to better
understand their world and take informed action.

For decades, the U.S. government has relied on Esri’s
GIS platform to support mission-critical tasks and
daily operations. Now government and the private
sector are leveraging GIS resources to map and share
vast amounts of newly available data—a vital step in
facilitating open government.

esri.com/gov20

BroadbandStat displays Ohio’s current broadband coverage on an interactive map.

The Power of Authoritative Data
With the launch of Data.gov, an abundance of authoritative authoritative data, stakeholders can depend on them to
government datasets is now readily available online. The identify factors that impact them, support informed decision
government has invested in the creation and maintenance of making, and contribute to a more informed public dialog.
a large reserve of U.S. geographic information. Included are
census findings, geological surveys, conservation and land-use
information, infrastructure assessments, tax records, health Federal Communications Commission
statistics, and education data.
With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Besides fostering open government, the release of this Act (ARRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
information spurs innovation as open data is brought to life is using Esri’s BroadbandStat application to develop a Web-
through the creation of new tools and applications. Online based map showing broadband coverage across the country.
mapping applications are proving to be one of the most As part of FCC’s National Broadband Plan, the map will guide
effective vehicles for communicating government data. The initiatives to improve high-speed Internet access for residents
federal government acknowledged the value of geospatial and businesses in an effort to stimulate economic growth
data visualization through its Data.gov GEO Viewer, which and boost capabilities in education, health care, homeland
enables anyone to view and combine datasets on an security, and more.
interactive map. Because these applications are based on

3

Anatomy of a Gov 2.0 Open Data Solution

1 2

Government Creates and Governments Share
Maintains Authoritative Data Public Datasets
Government’s extensive geospatial Open government initiatives drive
data resources provide the most agencies to publish their datasets on sites
accurate picture of the complex like Data.gov and ArcGIS.com, opening
factors at work throughout the world. access to a new wealth of information.

4

3 4

New Applications Bring Government and
Data into Context Citizens Collaborate
Developers use APIs to create online Data-rich Web applications enable
mapping applications that communicate increased transparency, communication,
complex government data in an easy-to- and efficiency.
understand geographic format.

esri.com/gov20
5

From Open Data to Open Government
A geographic perspective brings issues into context, engages the public, and improves transparency. Using GIS technology,
government and citizens can map datasets and create mashups of data layers to compare different factors and their relationships.
By sharing the information behind the decision-making process, government can more clearly convey its intentions and empower
an informed, constructive public response.

Department of Agriculture Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research The Environmental Protection Agency’s MyEnvironment
Service pooled over 90 indicators of health and lifestyle to Web site offers an easy-to-use online interface that provides
create its Web-based Food Environment Atlas. This visual the public with environmental information such as air and
interface allows the public to layer and analyze variables water quality. This tool incorporates federal, state, local, and
that impact Americans’ access to healthy food and reveals private data sources to provide a comprehensive snapshot of
“food deserts” where services are most needed. The Food environmental indicators. Citizens can create maps, charts,
Environment Atlas integrates existing government data from and reports on the environmental factors that impact them.
a variety of agencies, supporting transparency and creating a
practical public resource.

Nationwide adult diabetes rates are depicted on a scale from 3.2 percent MyEnvironment links directly to relevant data sources and presents the
to 17.4 percent (light green to dark green, respectively). information in several formats.

mapping citizen engagement clo
open government
social media collaboration
6

Delivering Open Data from the Cloud
Accessing GIS technology and open data in the cloud is making agencies more flexible and resilient. Cloud computing cuts costs
and supports broad variations in demand. When disaster strikes, spatial data can be readily accessed to assess a situation and
execute a response regardless of material damage on the ground. In effect, open data and online GIS technology are fostering the
development of authoritative, centralized geographic information resources that are available to anyone at any time.

Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board City of Miami
Recovery.gov became the first government-wide system to As part of the Miami 21 initiative to improve urban planning
move to a cloud computing infrastructure, allowing more practices for the 21st century, the City of Miami developed
efficient computer operations, improved security, and an interactive land development application that provides
reduced costs. The Recovery.gov Web site features a map real estate data on properties within the city. The application
that tracks spending of the $787 million economic stimulus is refined continuously and enables the public to view a
package established by ARRA. The dynamic map shows variety of data layers showing land-use designations, historic
where ARRA funds have been awarded and provides details preservation sites, zoning details for each property, and more.
on each recipient. This cloud-based tool provides business owners and residents
with a clear picture of the city’s land-use status and goals.

Esri’s GIS technology drives Recovery.gov’s dynamic cloud-based online Citizens can access land-use details online to make more informed
mapping tool. decisions when purchasing a home or starting a business.

oud computing accountability
transparency apps

7

Open and Map Public Data in Two Steps
Publish authoritative
1 geospatial datasets
Data-sharing repositories, such as
ArcGIS.com and Data.gov, make it easy
to upload and access authoritative
public data.

Bring meaning to the
2 data through maps
ArcGIS.com provides a platform for
delivering your authoritative content.
Even those without GIS knowledge
can create maps, integrate data from
different sources, and share maps with
specific contacts or the public.

8

Visit ArcGIS.com to access free,
configurable applications that help meet
business and agency needs. For example,
anyone can download a mobile application
that allows them to report public issues
such as damaged roads.

9

Create a Custom
Mapping Application
Esri’s online resources facilitate fast Web
application development so you can make the
most of authoritative and crowdsourced data
while supporting operationally critical systems
and government directives. ArcGIS is the platform
government uses for Gov 2.0 initiatives because
it supports delivery of mapping services and
applications across the Web. Accessible on
premises or in the cloud, this technology provides
a foundation for leveraging geospatial investments
and effectively managing data, conducting spatial
analysis, and deploying mobile services.

Esri GIS Services
Available on Apps.gov
Federal government employees can purchase
Esri® ArcGIS Online services on Apps.gov, the
SM

U.S. General Services Administration’s source
for cloud-based IT services. Search “Esri” to
find world satellite imagery, geocoding services,
datasets, and more.

10

To learn more about
GIS and open data,
visit esri.com/gov20.

11

About Esri Our Focus Contact Esri

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organizations map and model our of thousands of organizations that Phone: 909-793-2853
world. Esri’s GIS software tools apply GIS to solve problems and Fax: 909-793-5953
and methodologies enable these make our world a better place to info@esri.com
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and manage their geographic users to ensure they have the best
Offices worldwide
information and make better tools possible to accomplish their
esri.com/locations
decisions. They are supported by our missions. A comprehensive suite of
experienced and knowledgeable staff training options offered worldwide
and extensive network of business helps our users fully leverage their
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Open Data

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