Prepare data

The data manager allows you to add, edit, and configure data in ArcGIS Urban. Access the data manager using the Manage button Settings button in the upper right of the header in the overview. The data manager consists of the following sections:

  • Settings—General, Schematic visualization, Realistic visualization, Ground, Other layers, Street-level imagery, Initial visualization, and Display configuration
  • System of record
    • Zoning—Zoning types, Zoning boundaries, Overlay types, Overlay boundaries, Land use types, Land use boundaries
    • Development—Parcels, Space use types, Building types
  • Dashboard—Metrics and Existing metric values
  • Projects—Project status types, Projects, and Future buildings
  • IndicatorsArcGIS Living Atlas indicators and Custom indicators
    Note:

    The ArcGIS Living Atlas indicators section is only visible when you create a global urban model based on the USA Default template. See Create an urban model for details.

  • Discussion—Feedback categories and Public engagement
  • Sharing—Who can see the Urban Model, Who can edit the Urban Model, Who can create design plans and projects

For ArcGIS Urban to function effectively, certain data is recommended. Although you can open Urban with empty layers, the following data is recommended to run urban planning workflows effectively:

  • Zoning types
  • Land-use types
  • Space-use types
  • Building types
  • Project status types
  • Feedback categories

When data is processed, some data uploads are required before other data can be configured. These dependencies are as follows:

  • Zoning types are required before zoning boundaries can be added.
  • Overlay types are required before overlay boundaries can be added.
  • Land-use types are required before land-use boundaries can be added.
  • Space-use types are required before building types can be added.
  • Project status types are required before projects can be uploaded.
  • Projects must be uploaded before the future buildings layer can be added.

Note:
A plan-specific copy of the data configured in the System of record and Dashboard sections is created when you create a plan. See Create a plan and the Data model documentation page for details.

Use a template

In some data fields, you can upload data from a spreadsheet on your computer. In such cases, a template is available for download. The template includes default data (for example, the default building types) in a structured tabular format. You can use this template to help prepare the data. Once you are satisfied with the table, you can add it to the data manager, and the contents are made visible.

To access the template, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the data manager.
  2. Click the section to which you want to upload data.
  3. Click the Add button at the upper right of the section you are in.
  4. Choose From spreadsheet.

    The Import dialog appears.

  5. On the File step, click Download template.

    An Excel file is downloaded.

Alternatively, if the data has been prepared and added to ArcGIS Online, you can upload it to the data manager using the From feature table/layer upload option (if applicable). A table (hosted) is used for uploading types such as zoning or space-use types, and a feature layer (hosted) is used for uploading geometries such as zoning boundaries or projects.

Tips

Consider the following when preparing data and uploading it to the data manager:

  • Ensure that there are no duplicate or overlapping features in the zoning, land-use, and parcel layers.
  • Ensure that the Zoning Type or Land Use Type field in the zoning or land-use boundaries layer refers to the Custom ID value of the zoning types or land-use types data.
  • Some attributes require a JSON string as an input (for example, Allowed Space Use Types in Zoning Types). Ensure that this JSON string has the correct format. The schema is explained in detail in the corresponding spreadsheet templates. You can download them in the data manager.
  • When you use spreadsheet templates to upload data, the string values are case sensitive. The schema is explained in detail in the template.
  • For the parcels layer, ensure that the number of edges in the EdgeInfos field matches the number of edges of the parcel's geometry.
  • On import, geometries are converted to the coordinate system of the urban model if the coordinate systems don't match.

In this topic
  1. Use a template
  2. Tips