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The CUNY Mapping Service at the Center for Urban Research has substantially updated and enhanced the OASISnyc.net mapping site for the New York metro area.  A beta version of the site is now online.  Feel free to use it, share the link with others, and let us know what you think.  We're testing the new features, so feedback is welcome.  We expect to replace the existing site by fall 2009.

New in August 2009 (added since June 2009; thanks for everyone's feedback!):

• print your map: you can print your map (with a custom title, and annotation!) or save the map image itself as a PNG graphic;
• permanent link to your map: you can copy a link to each map you've made and share it via Twitter, email, IM, del.icio.us, blog post, or other online link;
  
• easy searches for stewardship "turfs": in partnership with the USDA Forest Service (see update below), we've created a special search feature so you can locate stewardship groups and their "turfs" by name, type, region, and group focus;
• links to lots: we're experimenting with shortcut URLs (web links) that zoom directly to individual properties (like this: www.urbanresearchmaps.org/oasis/map.aspx?zoomto=lot:1008647502) so you can easily bookmark your favorite locations; and
• links to Mannahatta: when you click on the map anywhere in Manhattan, we provide a link to the Mannahatta website so you can explore in rich detail what that spot of land looked like, and what eco-systems were around it, circa 1609.

Other new/interesting features:

• Mannahatta data (in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society), including photorealistic imagery of Manhattan circa 1609;
• Local environmental stewardship “turfs” (in partnership with the Forest Service’s Stewardship Mapping Project);
• Aerial timeline “slider” (transition between photos from 1996, 2004 & 2006 – and 2001 infrared imagery is coming soon);
• Dynamic transparencies for any layer on the map;
• Bird’s eye view maps for any spot on the map (via Microsoft “Bing” maps);
• Sites with environmental impacts, including combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and brownfields; and
• Historic land use in the Bronx River watershed.

Video tutorials about the site’s new features are available (more are on the way).  Here's a summary of how the OASIS maps have changed.

The new OASIS website is a work in progress. Here are some features we plan to add soon:

• new data from NYC agencies: the NYC Dept of City Planning now provides zoning data (not only R, C, M zones, etc, but special districts, commercial overlays, and E & D designations), the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has provided OASIS with their latest landmarked properties and historic district boundaries, and the NYC Soil & Water Conservation District has provided us with a groundbreaking (no pun intended) data set of soil types across the city -- we'll be adding all this and more to OASIS soon;
• Flickr and more: we'll be adding Flickr feeds, more map data via web services, and other social networking features (such as user reviews and updates);
• shortcut searches: we plan to add a third "tab" (right next to the Legend and Location Report tabs -- this one will provide quick search options for community gardens, local environmental stewards, parks, and other key features;
• more map data: more detailed information in New Jersey, links to online maps for Westchester and Nassau counties, regional Census demographics, and more;
• your suggestions: let us know what you think and we'll consider adding it. See the OASIS data guidelines for ideas.