A Project of the University of Pennsylvania's
Cartographic Modeling Laboratory

Supported by the William Penn Foundation,
Pew Charitable Trusts,
and the University of Pennsylvania

The Neighborhood Information System (NIS) is an online mapping and data analysis tool used by city agencies and over 100 nonprofit groups across Philadelphia. There are 3 major components of the NIS:

• ParcelBase
• NeighborhoodBase
• MuralBase

NIS Homepage: http://cml.upenn.edu/nis.

ParcelBase:

Parcel-level housing and real property data covering the entire city.
http://cml.upenn.edu/nis
The CML works with City agencies to create an up-to-date, property level database. The ParcelBase website makes this information available to city agencies & nonprofit groups, allowing them to instantly research ownership, sales, housing code violations and vacancy status by "clicking" on a property. The map interface also makes it easy to gather data about nearby parcels.

(Note: Access to the ParcelBase is limited to City agencies and approved non-profits. Contact the CML or click here for more information about how to apply for a ParcelBase account.)

An interactive database showcasing hundreds of murals produced by Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia.
http://cml.upenn.edu/nis
Visitors to the muralBase website can search for murals by theme, artist's name, zipcode or year. MuralBase users can also locate and explore projects in the vicinity of a specific street address. MuralBase features:

• interactive maps
• mural photos
• artist biographies
• facts about murals

Area data by census tract, zipcode, Council District & neighborhood.
http://cml.upenn.edu/nis
While ParcelBase reports on the vacancy status of individual properties, NeighborhoodBase reports on housing and related conditions for census tracts, zipcodes and other small area geographies. Users can customize their own maps, tables and reports over the Internet at the publicly-accessible website. Key data categories include:

• sealed & imminently dangerous properties
• utility shutoffs
• property tax arrearages
• median sales price data

The result is a new publicly available source of data that can be used to support analysis, planning and community redevelopment activities.

City of Philadelphia Partnering Organizations

The NIS would not be possible without the support of the following City agencies: