GIS in Action 2024

MetroMap, a web application developed by Metro, Portland’s regional government, has provided greater Portland with reliable and swift access to Metro’s RLIS (Regional Land Information System) data for nearly 25 years. In the spring of 2023, Metro’s Data Resource Center initiated a project to rebuild MetroMap using modern web technology with the end goal of delivering a contemporary, accessible, and resilient version of the application to the region.

This presentation delves into Metro’s approach to rebuilding this decades-old GIS resource, spanning from the early stages of user research through planning, design, and development. Key focal points include the project team’s establishment of partnerships with a diverse array of users to guide development, the adoption of iterative release cycles, and the incorporation of modern development paradigms such as accessible design, comprehensive automated testing, and improved DevOps practices. Finally, it showcases the application’s modern rendition, MetroMap-Next.

Throughout the rebuild process, the project team found that a user-centric approach and iterative releases allowed the team to respond to user feedback rapidly, keeping the application aligned with user needs. Unexpectedly, this structured approach bolstered creativity by encouraging experimentation and innovation, helping developers overcome the challenge of creating an intuitive web application tailored to serve a large user group with often conflicting needs.