Centralized Database for the National Zoning Atlas

Mapping Zoning Districts
Client:   Cornell University Legal Constructs Lab

The National Zoning Atlas is a project of the Legal Constructs Lab at the Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning to create a national database documenting the zoning codes of every jurisdiction across the country.

In the Fall of 2022, Cornell University sought out a vendor to develop a full-stack web application to support the National Zoning Atlas. The goal was to replace the current manual process using Google Sheets and file sharing services like Dropbox to create a more streamlined system. 

The project already had extensive documentation and specifications, so our job was to turn the manual shapefile and spreadsheet process into a modern web application.

Results: Using an open-source stack built on Azure, we deployed a web server and installed Django as a backend. Separately, we deployed an Azure Blob storage to store uploaded files and data, and an Azure Database to host the PostgreSQL instance. Using accessibility best practices, and using the Bootstrap 5 framework, we built a series of pages for viewing, uploading, importing, and editing jurisdictions and zoning districts. For pre-loading data, we used Handsontable to give users an easy way to paste the zoning and jurisdiction data they discovered in their research.

Focus:   Economic Development, Environment, Government Agencies, Public Health, Social Justice/Equity  

Services:  Interactive Solutions, Applications Development, Web Mapping, Website Design 

Project Years: 2022,2023

GreenInfo Network creates, analyzes, visualizes and communicates information in the public interest. We specialize in mapping and related technology for nonprofits and public agencies, focusing on using it for conservation, social equity, public health, environment and foundation grant making.
2201 Broadway, Suite M5
Oakland
CA
94612
United States of America