City Hall will be opening its doors to Open Data Day this Saturday, bringing together app developers, designers, City staff, policy wonks and interested citizens to examine, analyze and explore applications for open data in Vancouver.

“Making Vancouver a leader in Open Data has been a key priority of my work as Mayor, and opening up City Hall to Open Data Day is another way we’re looking to engage citizens and support our local technology and creative sectors in building a better city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Whether it’s supporting renters with our new Online Rental Standards Database or releasing data to help create apps for crime statistics or garbage pickup schedules, Vancouver’s Open Data leadership fosters innovation and makes life better for all Vancouver residents.”

Vancouver was one of the first cities in North America with an open data policy, and recently expanded upon that leadership with the City of Vancouver’s new Online Rental Standards Database. Other releases in Vancouver’s Open Data catalogue have included 311 contact centre data, weekend playfield status, animal control data, street tree locations, and much more. Vancouver is also the only city in British Columbia to post full Council expenses online.

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The City of Vancouver today launched a new online searchable database of rental buildings to assist renters to make more informed decisions about their housing.

“The City’s new Rental Standards Database is our latest step to help Vancouver renters and motivate property owners and landlords to keep their properties in good condition,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The overwhelming majority of landlords in Vancouver are responsible and treat their tenants with respect, and many of the properties included in the database are for minor infractions.

“We’re putting this information out there in an easily accessible way, empowering renters to make more informed decisions on where to live.”

The Rental Standards Database includes information about all licensed rental buildings in Vancouver with five or more residential units that have any open bylaw issues, or issues that have been addressed and resolved within the past 12 months.

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