​BRAMPTON, ON – Today, the City of Brampton’s Matt Pietryszyn, Team Lead, GIS and Open Data, was announced a winner of the Open City Champion Awards. Hosted by Public Sector Digest as part of International Open Government Week, the Open City Champion Awards recognize commitment to more open, transparent, and accountable local government.   

Public Sector Digest recognized three categories of Open City Champions: Community Leader, City Council Leader and City Administrative Leader. Matt won under the City Administrative Leader category.

In his position as Team Lead, GIS and Open Data, Matt is responsible for overseeing an innovative and dedicated team whose work on Brampton’s open data platform GeoHub, makes it easier for people to access public information such as property maps, bike maps and zoning by-laws. It features initiative-driven tools that help increase transparency and foster innovation. The GeoHub can be used to combine datasets and perform analysis through the use of maps and charts, or to download data to tell a story.

Members of the GIS and Open Data team work as Ambassadors and visit local high school classes to share with them how they can leverage the City’s authoritative data and analysis tools found on the GeoHub.

This is not the first time the City and its staff have been recognized for ongoing efforts in open data. In October, 2017, the City received Esri Canada’s Award for Innovation in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for using GIS technology to support the Open Government initiative. In June, 2017, the City received the Open Data Rising Star award for the GeoHub at the Canadian Open Data Summit in Edmonton.

To explore the Brampton GeoHub, visit http://geohub.brampton.ca

Quotes

“The City of Brampton is working to build a future ready city, and is committed to excellence in government services. Through the GeoHub, staff not only provide transparent service, but also aim to foster innovation in how we interact with Bramptonians. I am proud of the work Matt and the GIS and Open Data team are doing, and look forward to seeing how staff’s ongoing efforts will further enhance the public’s understanding of and engagement with their community.”
- Joseph Pittari, Commissioner of Corporate Services

“As we continue to make more data and tools available on Brampton's GeoHub, the City gains a unique opportunity to work with and engage with the community. This ongoing interaction and engagement with the public is absolutely key to Brampton’s success as a future ready, smart city."
- Matt Pietryszyn, Team Lead, GIS and Open Data

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​Brampton is thinking bigger. We are a future ready organization with a sharp focus. We know our community’s growth, youth and diversity set us apart. We sit at the centre of Canada’s innovation super corridor, encouraging investment and growing our global success. We are building vibrant urban centres that ignite opportunity and instill pride in the people who live and work here. We are moving Brampton forward to be a connected city that is innovative, inclusive and bold. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.