arcpy - Match features that are spatially similar with ArcGIS?

I'm hoping there might be a way to match features from one feature class to features of another feature class that are the most spatially similar. I have two datasets representing the same thing that were created by two different organizations.

Now I need to get information form each of their attribute tables and learn how they relate. I've seen 10.2 has Similarity Search that looks promising but I'm working with 10.1.

Any help would be great.

Answer

Hi Emil. The technique is called "conflation" and unfortunately ESRI did a lot of development in conflation for 10.2. There is even a toolbox in 10.2 fully devoted to your problem.

I would say, try using a spatial join, or using the "Attribute Transfer Tool" in the Spatial Adjustment toolbar in ArcMap.

Or if you're really ambitious depending on the level of effort, you can invest in a software called MapMerger!