Certain data sets are not widely available but are particularly important to MetroFuture implementation. The “top ten most wanted data sets” are missing pieces critical to more informed planning and public policy decisions. For example, both MetroFuture and the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles promote growth near existing infrastructure such as water and sewer lines; however, there is no comprehensive collection of regional information about where that infrastructure exists.
While some of the data sets listed below require new data collection, much of this information is already collected by the state for administrative reasons. Administrative data sets, even those that lack personal data, are often inaccessible to planners and policy makers due to confidentiality concerns, lack of accountability, and lack of consistent funding. Therefore, filling these identified needs does not necessarily involve expensive data collection efforts. Instead, standards that institutionalize data sharing as part of an overall federated data-sharing infrastructure can make existing data more widely available. Furthermore, the strategic use of technology is transforming the nature of data collection. New urban sensing and data collection technology will make possible an entirely new type of dataset. Sustainable datasets should be updated on a regular or ongoing basis, be stored in an easy-to maintain and share format, and be formatted to facilitate analysis and cross-referencing with other data.
2.a MassGIS and MAPC should work together to create a Regional Parcel Database.
2.b MAPC should develop a regional development database
2.c The Department of Transportation and Central Transportation Planning Staff should complete a household travel demand survey every ten years
2.d MassGIS should regularly commission aerial photo surveys and derived land use information from the data
2.e MassGIS, the Legislature, and local utilities should develop a region-wide map of water and sewer infrastructure
2.f MassGIS and MAPC should create a region-wide zoning map
2.g The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) should participate in the Local Employment Dynamics program.
2.h The Department of Revenue should make available timely demographic summaries of state income tax filings by municipality
2.i The Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office in collaboration with MAPC should implement a statewide permit tracking database
2.j EPA, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and MAPC should create a Brownfields database