I would describe the Atlanta GIS Data Catalog as a Look But Don’t Touch system. A contrast to the efforts of DC at transparency.
From the webpage:
GIS Data Catalog
Atlanta GIS creates and maintains many GIS data sets (also known as” layers” because of the way they are layered one on top another to create a map) and collects others from external sources, mostly other government agencies. Each layer represents some class of geographic feature. The features represented can be physical, such as roads, buildings and streams, or they can be conceptual, such as neighbor boundaries, property lines and the locations of crimes.
The GIS Data Catalog is an on-line compilation of information on GIS layers used by the CIty. The catalog allows you to quickly locate GIS data by searching by keyword. You can also view metadata for each data layer in the catalog. All data in the catalog represent the best and most current GIS data maintained or used by the city. The city’s GIS metadata is maintained in conformance with a standard defined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) .
The data layers themselves are not available for download from the catalog. Data can be requested by contacting the originating department or agency. More specific contact information is available within the metadata for many data layers. (emphasis added)
I am sure most agencies would supply the data on request, but why require the request?
To add a request processing position to the agency payroll and to have procedures for processing requests, along with meetings on request granting, plus an appeals process if the request is rejected, with record keeping for all of the foregoing plus more?
That doesn’t sound like transparent government or effective use of tax dollars to me.