Nanaimo Parcel Fabric Geometry Replacement

MNC Strengthened ParcelMap BC Accuracy with Nanaimo Parcel Update

Waterfront neighborhood in Nanaimo, British Columbia, with homes on a forested hillside overlooking calm water.

See How MNC Rebuilt ParceMap BC With Nanaimo’s Parcel Fabric

Watch the transformation from outdated geometry to a high-precision, authoritative parcel fabric. This short walkthrough shows how MNC resolved spatial accuracy gaps, integrated Nanaimo’s source data and strengthened ParcelMap BC for regional users.

Project Overview

After ParcelMap BC became fully operational in 2017, it was discovered that the City of Nanaimo maintained a higher-quality version of its parcel data fabric than the one initially incorporated into ParcelMap BC. The existing parcel geometry used in the initial build did not reflect the full spatial precision or completeness of the City’s authoritative data, creating barriers to adoption by Nanaimo and other users in the region.

To resolve this, the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) initiated the Nanaimo Geometry Replacement project. They selected MNC (Martin Newby Consulting Ltd.) to lead the data integration and geometry upgrade.

Challenge

The parcel polygon geometry used in the original building of ParcelMap BC did not match the accuracy of the City of Nanaimo’s maintained parcel fabric.

View of Nanaimo Harbour with marina docks, boats, waterfront buildings, and a residential tower overlooking the shoreline

Key Limitations Included:

Spatial Precision

Lower spatial precision than what was available in the City’s local cadastre

Missing Survey-Grade Detail

Survey dimension details and high-accuracy geometry not captured in the provincial dataset

Parcel Coverage Gaps

Gaps in parcel coverage, particularly in classes of parcels not included in the original ParcelMap BC compilation

Adoption

Reduced confidence and adoption of ParcelMap BC by local stakeholders who relied on more accurate municipal data

The Solution

MNC was engaged to lead the parcel fabric geometry replacement within the City of Nanaimo, leveraging its expertise in high accuracy cadastral data management and Esri-based systems.

Workflow diagram showing parcel fabric data transformed through validation and processing into a finalized dataset.

Key Steps in the Solution:

Data Integration & Validation

Replaced the ParcelMap BC parcel geometry for the City of Nanaimo with a recompiled version from the City’s source parcel fabric.
Preserved spatial accuracy and survey precision as captured in local records.

Enhanced Parcel Coverage

Incorporated previously omitted classes of parcels that were not part of the original ParcelMap BC compilation scope.
Verified completeness and correctness of geometry across all relevant parcel types.

GIS Implementation

Used ArcGIS (Esri) technology to execute the integration, ensuring compatibility with the provincial platform.
Maintained alignment with LTSA’s strategic goal of advancing high-quality, reliable parcel data throughout British Columbia.

The Results

Replacing the ParcelMap BC’s geometry with the City of Nanaimo’s authoritative parcel fabric significantly improved data quality and completeness for the region.

Aerial view of Nanaimo with coastline, residential communities, forested hills, and mountain ranges

Key benefits included:

Spatial Accuracy

Spatial accuracy and survey-based precision are now reflected in the provincial parcel fabric.

Parcel Coverage

Expanded parcel coverage includes all relevant parcel types maintained by the city.

Increased Confidence

Municipal users have increased confidence in the dataset, encouraging wider adoption of ParcelMap BC in the region.

Supports Objective

The updated parcel data supports the LTSA’s objective of delivering authoritative, high-accuracy land information across British Columbia.

Led by MNC, this project demonstrates a replicable approach for government agencies seeking to integrate high-precision local cadastral data into broader land administration systems, enhancing spatial accuracy, public trust, and informed decision-making.

Municipal Parcel Fabric

SUPPORTING MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS AND WORKFLOWS

Improved Accuracy

AND CONSISTENCY ACROSS PARCEL DATASETS

Ongoing Maintenance

ENABLING CONTINUOUS DATA UPDATES AND RELIABILITY

About MNC

The Cadastral and Parcel Mapping Experts

MNC is a trusted leader in cadastral and parcel management with 25+ years of experience delivering GeoAI-ready datasets, modernizing parcel fabrics, and automating GIS workflows. As an Esri Gold and Cornerstone Partner with Parcel Management and State and Local Government Specialties, MNC provides scalable advanced GIS, ArcGIS Pro, FME automation, MicroStation, AutoCAD and cloud-ready geospatial systems that improve data quality and support government land administration modernization across Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean.

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