The Data Center and GIS lab provide regional leadership in data compilation, analysis and presentation. The Data Center serves as a repository of up-to-date demographic, socioeconomic, and other planning-related data. The GIS lab is responsible for implementing and providing ongoing support of a region-wide Geographical Information System (GIS). The Lab implements and maintains a regional GIS data library and manages, coordinates and supports GIS resources and activities for communities and organizations.


MAPC, in partnership with the Boston Foundation (TBF), are planning a multi-year project to create a virtual Regional Data Repository (RDR). The first phase of this project has been determined to be the creation of a website. MAPC and TBF are reviewing proposals for the development of this website, which will consist of a formal data warehouse, on-line public access tools and a framework that allows various data points and indicators to be nested from neighborhood up to regional levels.

The combination of the Data Center's statistical database and the GIS lab's geographic data library gives MAPC excellent tools for analysis and forecasting. MAPC has the ability to adopt new technologies for its planning programs and services, greatly enhancing how regional information is presented to our member cities and towns.

By developing better ways to research, collect, access, and present information about our region, the Data Center and GIS lab are helping Greater Boston to be prepared for the challenges that face regional planning in the 21st century.

The 2007 MAPC Annual Report and Calendar
Metropolitan Perspectives 2007 (scroll down and click on Regional Map Gallery) contains a different set of data about the region for each of the 12 months of the year. Data come from a variety of sources, including the United States Census and several state agencies, and is presented for the 101 cities and towns and in some cases for U.S. Census tracts.

Northeast Homeland Security Region 85 Community
GIS program