Our team includes GIS expertise, which allows us to use GIS mapping to support our analysis of data – for instance in defining the effective catchment of an open space, or in demonstrating surplus or deficiency in the distribution of open spaces within an area. Maps such as these can be a very effective visual representation of spatial relationships, and often illustrate significant strategic issues.

We support all the main GIS packages, and can offer a complete range of GIS services, including data capture, data cleaning and verification, and analysis.

Our GIS service is fully integrated with all our consultancy services, and where we undertake audits and surveys we capture the information so as to allow us to create usable data ready in preparation for mapping and data analysis. Similarly, when working with existing data sets we can undertake data cleaning in preparation for GIS analysis of the dataset.

We map effective catchment areas using OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network or other network software to create buffers around specific features. Catchment areas can also be determined by using a street network search to simulate actual walking distances. We can further refine the definition of catchment areas to account for barriers to movement such as railways, uncrossable roads and unbridged watercourses.

Our maps are correctly geo-referenced and snapped to line. Tell us what your requirements are, both as to content and format, and we can provide the material your GIS needs in an appropriate format.

Mapping Case Studies

Thurrock

Following our work on establishing community needs for open space, sport and recreation, Thurrock Council asked us to examine the implications of planned new housebuilding in terms of the requirement for open space, sport and recreation facilities up to 2021.

We mapped the proposed location of new housing in five-year phases to see which of these areas were located outside the catchments of existing provision. The example below shows the catchment areas for parks in Thurrock and their relationship to new housing development. The ‘buffers’ for the parks have been trimmed to take account of barriers to movement such as motorways and railway lines – and the Thames estuary.

Mid Beds PPG17 Open Space Sport & Recreation Study

As part of our open space, sport and recreation study, we undertook a household survey with a representative sample of residents living in the Mid Bedfordshire Council area. This included questions about how far people travel to different types of open space. We then translated the results into distance thresholds for different forms of provision by assessing the distance which 75-80% of respondents are willing to travel, and established suitable maximum walking time thresholds (or effective catchments). Maps were then produced showing the effective catchment areas for different types of space.

The example below shows the effective catchments for informal open spaces, taking account of barriers to movement such as main roads, railways and rivers. The map also shows the quality and value assessments undertaken as part of the audit of open spaces.