Local Data Exchange Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Local Data Exchange (LDX)?

The Local Data Exchange (LDX) Portal facilitates two-way data exchange, locally and regionally. This secure portal allows local jurisdictions to upload and edit data with SCAG to support the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and local general plan updates. The LDX is the main opportunity for cities and counties to provide input into Connect SoCal. Local government agencies can access the portal today by requesting an account to participate. The portal also enables local jurisdictions to securely upload and edit data with SCAG, facilitating updates to the RTP/SCS and local general plans.

The LDX Editor is a web-mapping tool developed by SCAG in support of the LDX process to allow local jurisdictions to review and provide local feedback on regional data layers managed by SCAG. The LDX Editor can be used to submit feedback to SCAG on any data layer, and many of the data layers support direct editing.

Who Can Use The LDX?

SCAG relies upon data and information provided directly by local jurisdictions such as land use and entitlements to generate growth projections. SCAG relies on local jurisdictions to assess the development likelihood and timing of key entitlement projects as they review growth projections. LDX access is only available for planning or GIS staff or designated representatives from SCAG local jurisdictions. An account is required to access the LDX systems. Learn more about accessing the LDX system or request an account on the LDX page of the RDP.

While the LDX process is designed for exchanging certain datasets between local jurisdictions and SCAG, the public can view LDX’s Data/Map Books online at scag.ca.gov/local-data-exchange.

Can The Private Sector, Nonprofits, Academic Institutions Or Others Request An LDX Account?

The LDX is a secure data-sharing portal between SCAG and local jurisdictions in the SCAG region. Individuals from the private sector, nonprofits, academic institutions, or others can only request an LDX account if they are a designated representative contracted by local jurisdictions who approve the account.

What Is The History Of The LDX, And What Is Its Intended Uses?

The LDX tools launched in May 2022.

The LDX tools provided a critical component of local jurisdiction engagement in support of Connect SoCal 2024 from March through December 2022. The input received through the LDX process helped SCAG generate a Forecasted Regional Development Pattern for Connect SoCal 2024 that identifies how and where the region will accommodate anticipated growth. SCAG is mandated by statute to generate a Forecasted Regional Development Pattern to help meet required greenhouse gas emissions and Clean Air Act targets and ensure the region can thrive in the coming decades.

Beyond Connect SoCal 2024, LDX tools are expected to remain available, allowing local jurisdiction staff to continue to review and provide input on datasets on a more ongoing basis. The LDX tools were updated in February 2023 to provide additional capabilities for reviewing and editing preliminary growth forecast data.

The LDX will remain critical to sharing and exchanging data with local jurisdictions during future Connect SoCal processes.

Beyond Connect SoCal, the LDX tools and portal remain available, allowing local jurisdictions to continue to review and provide inputs on datasets on an ongoing and continuous basis and ensuring that SCAG has the most recent and up-to-date information from local jurisdictions.

How Do I Access The LDX?

The LDX system can be accessed from the LDX page of the RDP. An account is required to log in to the secured LDX tools and can be accessed from the page under “request an account.”

What Are The Different Types Of LDX Participants?

A “local contributor” is authorized to contribute data on behalf of their jurisdiction. Additional review and approval by a local reviewer are required before submitting to SCAG.

A “local reviewer” is authorized to both contribute data on behalf of their jurisdiction and review/approve contributions from any user in their jurisdiction to be sent to SCAG. Each jurisdiction using the LDX system must have at least one local reviewer.

All LDX contributions follow a standard process. First, a local jurisdiction staff member (either a local contributor or reviewer) makes a data contribution using one of the LDX tools. Next, the local reviewer receives an automated email notification and must review and approve or deny the contribution. If approved, SCAG will receive an email notification and will take additional action to incorporate the contribution into the regional dataset.

What Are The Main Features Of The LDX Editor? How Does The Data Contribution Process Work?

The LDX Editor is used to provide local feedback on regional data layers managed by SCAG as part of the Local Data Exchange process. The LDX Editor can be used to submit feedback to SCAG on any data layer. After selecting a data layer, users can directly edit the layer or provide feedback on the layer. Some layers cannot be directly edited, and users can only provide feedback.

For the data contribution process,

• The local contributor will first make a data contribution (either through the LDX Editor application or one of the other data-sharing workflows) for the data contribution process.
• If approved, the data will be sent to SCAG for further review. If denied, the local contributor is notified.
• If data has been approved by the local reviewer, SCAG receives an email and reviews the data contribution.
• The local reviewer will receive an email if further action is required. 

How Can Local Jurisdictions View The Data Layers?

All of the Data/Map Books and their dynamic online equivalent on the LDX portal include the data layers that are the main local ingredients to Connect SoCal. This consists of several layers on which SCAG sought updates and corrections, other layers on which local updates and corrections are optional, and additional third-party data that relate to regional objectives and are included for reference.

View Only: The Data/Map Books are publicly available PDF versions of the data specific to each local jurisdiction and are designed to help local planners better understand the sources, methodologies and contexts of datasets that will be integrated into SCAG’s regional plans. Data/Map Books were updated alongside the release of the draft Connect SoCal 2024. 

Review/Update: The LDX online portal contains digital maps of each data layer that local planners can view, edit, and leave comments and feedback on. Using the portal requires no GIS knowledge or software installation. It also allows cities that maintain GIS or data files to securely upload GIS data layers or ArcGIS Urban completed plans.

How Do I See My Edits?

For feedback job types, the user can see the feedback notes and the map area the feedback was provided for.

It is not currently possible to see the layer and the feedback area/feedback notes at the same time. To see the layer information at the same time, open LDX Editor and select the right layer, then use the search functionality to find the area for the provided feedback and then go back to Workflow Manager to approve.

Once approved, edits are not currently viewable by a local jurisdiction.

All contributions are tracked in a single system, so if you have questions about the status of your data, please reach out to the LIST at LIST@scag.ca.gov.

What Happens With My Data?

Once approved by the local reviewer, SCAG staff will work to incorporate the contribution into the regional dataset. Once complete, these changes will be reflected in the LDX system.

Where possible, datasets that participate in the LDX process (meaning local jurisdiction staff can contribute edits) will be shared with local jurisdictions so stakeholders throughout the region can utilize up-to-date versions of regionally significant data.

Sensitive datasets, such as growth/socioeconomic data, will remain in the secure LDX system, meaning only authorized users can see this data, and in many cases, only for their jurisdiction.

What If A Local Jurisdiction Has Corrections Or Updates Or Notices Errors?

During the Connect SoCal 2024 process, SCAG welcomed input on and changes to the data due to updates in local policies, including entitlements and development agreements. This process concluded in December 2022.

The Data/Map Books and preliminary growth forecast are non-binding at all stages. Local jurisdiction input is critical in making sure we have the most accurate data available.

How Else Can Local Jurisdictions Share Data And Datasets With SCAG?

Jurisdictions can also share data with SCAG by uploading GIS data as a file, either a shapefile or file geodatabase in a zipped (.zip) folder, sharing an adopted ArcGIS Urban-based land use plan or emailing LIST@scag.ca.gov.

Who Can Assist Me If I Need Help Logging Into The LDX? Where can I get help with the LDX process?

Please reach out to the SCAG LIST team directly at LIST@scag.ca.gov.

Connect SoCal 2024 Questions

What Type Of Information And Data Did SCAG Use In The Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Growth Projections?

The draft Connect SoCal 2024 growth projection reflects SCAG’s preliminary, expert-informed growth projection and integrates all edits made by local jurisdictions to total households and total employment in 2019, 2035, and 2050 as part of the LDX process.  These data reflect final Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ)-level input from jurisdictions that provided input or were granted an extension prior to the Dec. 2, 2022, deadline. These plan data represent a snapshot in time and may not reflect subsequently available information.  Please contact local jurisdictions directly to ensure the most up-to-date planning, development, and construction information.

TAZ-level growth projection data are a tool to understand how regional policies and strategies may be reflected at the neighborhood level but they show only one set of future growth assumptions as consistent with the Sustainable Communities Strategy. However, other development assumptions and growth patterns could also be consistent with the Sustainable Communities Strategy. As such TAZ-level growth projection data should not be used to prove project consistency with Connect SoCal 2024. TAZ-level growth projection data are advisory and non-binding and jurisdictions have no obligation to change land use policies, general plans or other regulations to conform with these projection data.

Did The Household Growth Forecast Include A Local Jurisdiction’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment Allocation?

The Connect SoCal 2024 growth forecast integrated available housing element data in its neighborhood-level projections in advance of and during local review to the extent that data were available.

The Connect SoCal 2024 growth vision, which guides neighborhood-level projections, relies heavily on Priority Development Areas and Priority Resource Areas, key tools for the Sustainable Communities Strategy to operationalize and reinforces the Regional Housing Needs Assessment’s (RHNA) 6th cycle focus on job- and transit-accessible housing.  

The forecast for total regional housing growth in the next decade grew 30 percent from Connect SoCal 2020. This growth responds to early indications showing that RHNA and related state and local pro-housing policies are starting to result in higher production.