NYC updates weekly building footprint dataset to track all structures

Overview of the Dataset

The New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) provides a comprehensive dataset detailing the footprints of every building in NYC. This dataset has received updates on a weekly basis, reflecting the ever-changing urban environment of the city where construction and demolition are constant.

Criteria for Building Inclusion

The dataset includes all buildings satisfying specific criteria: those greater than 400 square feet and taller than 12 feet. Notably excluded from this count are temporary structures such as trailers and awnings, focusing on permanent buildings within the city.

Importance of the Dataset

This dataset serves as a crucial tool for city planners and government officials, as it provides foundational geospatial data registered across various city departments. According to the OTI, its accurate basemap is vital for understanding and managing urban development in a city characterized by its density and rapid changes.

Historical Insights

The dataset also includes historical construction dates for 99% of the buildings, allowing researchers and city officials to analyze trends over time. Notably, nearly a quarter of existing buildings were constructed during the 1920s, highlighting a peak period in NYC's architectural development.

Building Dimensions and Discrepancies

The recorded heights of buildings in the dataset can differ from widely recognized measurements. For instance, One World Trade Center's roof is listed at 1,408 feet, despite its spire reaching a symbolic height of 1,776 feet. These discrepancies may arise from definitions set forth in the photogrammetry process used for data collection.