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Data from: Historical land use and contamination collection of urban green spaces in London, Ontario, Canada

Slabon, Sophia G.1; Metson, Geneviève S.1

Published Jun 17, 2026; Updated Oct 12, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6m905qgfw

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Jun 17, 2026 version files 336.48 KB
Oct 12, 2026 version files 337.19 KB

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Abstract

Historical land use information is essential for environmental management and risk assessment, yet it is often fragmented and difficult to access. We present a spatially integrated historical land‑use and contamination dataset for London, Ontario, Canada, developed by combining contemporary GIS layers with diverse archival and documentary sources. Site locations were initially defined using a municipal parks polygon dataset to prioritize publicly accessible green spaces. Each site was examined through an iterative process using digital media, municipal and conservation authority reports, historical newspapers, library archives, fire insurance plans, historical aerial photographs, topographic maps, and engineering and monitoring documents. Analog materials were digitized and georeferenced, and multiple sources were used to cross‑validate. We built a standardized attribute table documenting past land use, industry type, operational dates, known or suspected contaminants, source citations, and risk‑based recommendations. The resulting polygon and point layers provide an extensible geodatabase that supports decision-making in risk management.