parcelbase

The ParcelBase application integrates comprehensive real estate and neighborhood development data from many City agencies into a single, easy-to-use web application.

Client:Cartographic Modeling Lab, University of Pennsylvania

Challenge: Individuals and organizations working on community development initiatives frequently need data on ownership and status of properties. This information is held in various different City agencies including the Department of Records, the Board of Revision of Taxes, and the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the task of collecting all the necessary information from all the relevant agencies is a formidable one.

Solution: Avencia provided software and database development services to support the creation of ParcelBase, a web-based application for accessing housing and real estate property data covering the city of Philadelphia. ParcelBase makes detailed property-level data available to City agencies, community development corporations, and nonprofit organizations, enabling them to quickly research and map ownership, sales history, violations, tax assessment history, vacancy, and community survey information.

Outcomes: The ParcelBase website has been in continuous use for several years and has been progressively updated to provide new services to 1,500 registered users. ParcelBase has proven to be a great support for community revitalization efforts, helping community development corporations, and greening organizations to identify target properties, their owners and status, facilitating the acquisition of properties, and rebuilding of blighted communities.

Quote: “In the past, I would have to drag out the heavy Sanborn maps to assess an area, and wait for the company to update information annually as far as demolitions, new streets, etc. go. Now I can just click on the information at my computer and print out the report. It is an extremely helpful housing tool.” –ParcelBase user

Website: http://cml.upenn.edu/parcelbase/