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GIS Data Layers

The GIS data maintained by UPO includes information on buildings and grounds related to Harvard including information about surrounding areas. Our "standard" base layers are available to Harvard entities and their contractors (for example, architects) working on Harvard projects in AutoCAD DWG or ESRI SHP format. Additional datasets are sometimes available by special arrangement.

Green Space

Areas of vegetation. In Harvard campus areas, distinguishes planted (grass, shrubs, gardens) from paved or built areas at a fairly high level of detail; elsewhere indicates open space such as parks, playgrounds, municipal cemeteries. Harvard areas are based on planimetric mapping from 1992 and 1998 and subsequent surveys and aerial photography. Elsewhere derived from MassGIS Open Space data layers with reference to municipal sources.

Hydrography

Outlines of rivers, ponds and lakes using modified Boston Water & Sewer Commission planimetric data and MassGIS data which, in turn, is ultimately based on USGS DLG data. Covers Charles River basin east of Waltham/Watertown border; lakes and ponds in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, and Watertown; Boston Harbor and islands from north of Nahant to Hull.

Street Blocks

Areas NOT covered by streets (i.e. this is a "negative" of the actual street outlines). Streets includes public and private ways open to general traffic circulation. Gated streets, driveways, parking lots are not included. Includes coverage of all of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, and parts of Watertown. Sources were primarily municipal entities, with adjustments based on Harvard planimetric mapping. Note that most street reconfigurations related to the Big Dig are NOT included.

Municipal Boundaries

Town boundaries, largely derived from MassGIS data with reference to individual city assessor's maps. Available in two extents: one that includes only towns bordering Cambridge, the other extending to towns roughly within the Rte. 95/128 periphery.

Text Labels

A separate CAD file containing text labels for all data sets: Major campus areas, Schools, and Houses; Harvard building names; and the names of streets, parks, water bodies, and other landmarks in the vicinity of Harvard campuses.

Additional Data Layers

3D Building Models

Somewhat simplified building models in AutoCAD 3D Solid format. About 90% of campus buildings are available.

Aerial Photographs

Both georegistered (orthophotos) and unregistered aerial photos of Harvard's campuses and vicinity. Photos from 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006 are available. In addition we have 1/2-meter orthophotos from MassGIS (2002), and orthophotos from Cambridge (1999 and 2003).

Demographics

Information pertaining to where Harvard employees and students live (for housing and transportation analyses).

Parcels

Assessor's Parcel data from Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.

Trees

Inventory of campus trees maintained by Facilities Maintenance.

Parking

Parking lots owned or managed by Harvard.

Safety & Accessibility

Locations of emergency phones, designated pathways, and handicapped accessible entrances to buildings.

Transportation

Railroads and rail transit routes, bike routes, pedestrian routes in and around the Cambridge/Allston campus.

Utilities

Schematics for campus utility infrastructure (telecommunications, steam, water, gas, electric) and some building interiors.

Zoning & Regulatory

Zoning, Neighborhoods, Wards for Cambridge and Boston.