City and Queen’s University bring Kingston into focus with updates to data dashboards

Earlier today, the City of Kingston and Queen’s University presented the new and expanded data dashboards for the Kingston in Focus website. More than 40 additional datasets augment the original 60 data visualizations that inform municipal and community decision-making, provide an important resource for research and increase the understanding of Kingston’s communities.

The dashboard was originally developed during the pandemic to provide better information on the pandemic’s impacts in Kingston. The new and greatly expanded 2.0 dashboard has new relevance as City staff and partners assess the effects of US tariffs across the community. The Kingston in Focus Dashboard is funded by a grant from the MITACS, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that fosters collaboration between universities and businesses to drive innovation.

“This expansion of the Kingston in Focus dashboard is a powerful example of how municipalities can work with academic and community partners to bring data to life. These new tools support evidence-based decision-making and help us better understand and respond to complex issues like trade impacts, equity and access to community resources,” says Craig Desjardins, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships at the City of Kingston.

The updated website includes over 40 new datasets, including a new Urban Indigenous Community Resources map. The dashboard represents resources within five categories: environmental and land-based initiatives; cultural and artistic organizations; educational institutions and programs; health and wellness services; and community and social services.

“Queen’s University is proud to support this collaborative initiative that demonstrates the value of accessible, community-relevant data. By bringing together diverse datasets, the dashboard helps researchers, policymakers and residents alike engage with the social, economic and cultural realities of Kingston in a more meaningful way,” shares Betsy Donald, Associate Vice Principal – Research at Queen’s University.

The Kingston in Focus dashboard is a collaborative project between Queen’s University, the City of Kingston, Kingston Economic Development and the Kingston and Area Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites.