GIS Development

Spatial Analysis - Techniques for Urban Planning and Design Decision-Making

Informed decision-making in urban planning and design relies on accurate spatial analysis. Using advanced techniques and tools, stakeholders can visualise, evaluate and predict outcomes to create optimised, sustainable and user-centred urban environments.

Below you'll find examples of the services and tools available for comprehensive spatial analysis to taylored to your project needs.

Cartography Services

• Map Design & Layout: Craft visually engaging and informative maps tailored for publications, presentations, reports, or web platforms.

• Data Preparation: handling of geospatial data to enhance clarity and impact in map displays.

• Customization: Design maps that align with your brand identity, project goals, or audience preferences.

Analysis Categories & Techniques

1. Mobility analysis:

   • Space Syntax: Identifying connected segments, visibility analysis to identify movement patterns, accessibility, and potential user flows.

   • Centrality Measures: Evaluating key urban spaces using:

     • Closeness Centrality: Proximity to all other nodes.

     • Betweenness Centrality: Frequency of paths crossing through a node.

     • Eigenvector Centrality: Influence of a node based on connections.

   • Shortest Path Calculations: Optimizing routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

   • Network Allocation: Determining service catchments based on available resources and user locations.

   • Isochrone Mapping: Defining areas reachable within specific time intervals.

   • Nearest Neighbors Analysis: Understanding proximity relationships for facilities and services.

2. Solar Analysis

   • Shading analysis for building or open spaces orientation and placement.

   • Solar irradiance calculations for energy efficiency studies.

   • Sun direction assessments for daylight optimization and thermal comfort.

3. Topographic Analysis

   • Generation of Contour lines for elevation visualization.

   • Slope analysis for construction feasibility, route planning (cycling routes) or drainage planning.

   • Visibility analysis to evaluate sightlines and viewpoints.

4. Clustering & Pattern Recognition

   • Identifying hotspots and activity centers in urban environments.

   • Spatial clustering for market segmentation and service distribution planning.

5. 3D Visualization

   • Creating 3D models for urban spaces

6. Map Algebra & Raster Analysis

   • Custom calculations to assess spatial phenomena.

7. Remote Sensing

   • Land cover classification and change detection.

Software Capabilities

• GIS Platforms: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, GRASS and other open-source alternatives.

• Custom Development: Automating workflows and creating specialized tools using Python-Packages for routine or bespoke analysis.

Flexible Service Offerings

These techniques can be applied at different project stages:

• Pre-Planning: Feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and site selection.

• During Planning: Impact analysis, visualization, and optimization.

• Post-Design: Performance evaluation and monitoring.

Whether for small-scale urban interventions or large metropolitan projects, these spatial analysis services are tailored to meet your project needs.

Reviews

"I have known Mrs. Carmem Aires both as a colleague and a freelancer for over four years. Working with her has always been a pleasure in both roles. Mrs. Aires combines excellent software skills, extensive urban planning knowledge and strong visual abilities. Her work is efficient and of high quality. She approaches challenges in a solution-oriented manner and gives her best to achieve project goals. On a personal level, Mrs. Aires’s communicative and easygoing personality facilitates smooth project flow. I am glad to have worked with her over the past few years and highly recommend her for urban planning or GIS-based projects."

Dr. Mustafa Obaid, Chair of Urban Management, Institute of Urban Planning, Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg"

"Carmem has a great understanding of how GIS works and what you can achieve with it in your business. Her teaching skills in dealing with people with different levels of knowledge were exceptional. All participants were able to follow the content and apply what they learned in their daily work. She answered all participants' questions in a professional and understandable way. She also proved to be very flexible in planning the training and showed a lot of enthusiasm and motivation, which was transferred to the participants. We look forward to further support from her in the future."

Christian Hübner, Urban Planning Team Coordinator, AS+P Frankfurt