Neighbourhood Information Systems

Through the Young Foundation’s work with Local Authorities we are increasingly hearing that many are frustrated in conducting neighbourhood analysis in order to report, identify issues facing their neighbourhoods, and develop strategies to meet the needs of their communities because of the following challenges:

1. Integrating data from a variety of sources 
2. Conducting a deeper analysis with the information they are able to access, but don’t have the resources to pursue
3. Easily interpreting their findings and present them visually.

Despite the increased quality and relevancy of both data and information technology these challenges persist. There have been limited examples of merging these resources to allow for easier analysis of issues facing neighbourhoods, yet one tool to consider is Neighbourhood Information Systems.

These systems take on different forms, but include two key components: (1) data and indicators of community life, and (2) data displays, such as maps, tables, and charts.  These systems organise data and information at the neighbourhood level and are internet based. Their interactive mapping applications can be used for many purposes, from exploratory data analysis to creating formal presentations. Some even have the capacity to produce anything from simple context maps to analyzing a number of variables, and integrating data sets from a variety of sources. Others offer the ability for the users to choose among numerous colours, data classification, and set map size and scale. They have assisted community stakeholders in addressing such issues as, lead exposure and educational performance among children, understanding the fluctuations in enrolment and student body composition, target neighbourhood policing efforts, and lending disparities among neighbourhoods of a city. 

With the apparent expressed need, robust technology tools, and data availability, it seems the time is right to promote these systems more widely in the UK, perhaps on a national scale.