How can you create GIS visualizations that are informative and aesthetically pleasing in urban planning?

GIS visualizations are powerful tools for urban planning, as they can help you communicate complex spatial data and scenarios to various audiences. However, creating effective and attractive GIS visualizations requires more than just technical skills. You also need to consider the purpose, the context, and the design principles of your maps and charts. In this article, you will learn how to create GIS visualizations that are informative and aesthetically pleasing in urban planning, by following these six steps:

1 Define your goal

Before you start creating your GIS visualization, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with it. What is the main message or question you want to convey or answer? Who is your target audience and what are their needs and expectations? How will your visualization be used and distributed? Answering these questions will help you define the scope, the format, and the level of detail of your visualization.

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Julian Petrin

Expert for urban and civic transformation, founding director at urbanista and co-Founder of the Urban Change Academy
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Maps should tell a story. To do this, you have to keep different aspects in mind: - Clarify which story you want to tell - Select the right data (focus on what is relevant) - Prepare the data in such a way that it contributes to the story (e.g. by creating indices or classifying the data correctly) - Combine data with different thematic focuses to create an interesting statement - for example, noise pollution and income or social milieus and the availability of car sharing - style the map so that the story is visually clear - using the right colour palette, a supporting basemap, clear symbols - Publish the map story in a way that makes it fun - for example as a scrollytelling website

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Tarun Pant

Architect, Urbanist, Alternative Thinker, Carpe diem.
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Creating informative and aesthetically pleasing GIS visualizations for urban planning involves a combination of technical skills, design principles, and effective communication strategies. Here are some key considerations to help you achieve this: 1. Clear Objectives 2. Choose Appropriate Data 3. Map Design and Layout 4. Symbology and Legend 5. Scale and Detail 6. Interactive Elements 7. Contextual Information 8. Data Classification 9. Visual Hierarchy 10. Storytelling 11. Accessibility 12. Feedback and Iteration 13. Use of 3D 14. Data Integration 15. Visual Consistency

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Hammid Ahmad Wani

Urban Planner | | Ex - Chief Town Planner,Writer, Content creator,Freelance journalist,Urbanist.
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GIS visualizations imbue incredible proficiency to urban planning as it combines both aesthetics and informative data to provide far greater insights for decision-making.It can make use spatio-temporal analysis,3D modeling GIS,alternative options/scenario planning, impact assessment, vulnerabilities, suitabilities, chronological aspects and other multivariate attributes and visual display to serve as a powerful tool in urban planning by combining aesthetics with informative data for purposes of supporting decision-making, stakeholders interface, and promote development which is sustainable.

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2 Choose your data

The next step is to select the data sources and layers that are relevant and reliable for your goal. You may need to collect, clean, and process your own data, or use existing data from public or private sources. You should also consider the scale, the projection, and the coordinate system of your data, as they may affect the accuracy and the appearance of your visualization. Make sure to document and cite your data sources and methods, and check for any errors or inconsistencies.

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Tiago Jordão Cardoso

Técnico Superior; Technical Advisor; Co-Developer of PREDENA; Author of Scientific Book Chapters; Researcher in AI Acceptance and Chatbots for Public Administration
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The accurate selection of data, intended to be used, leads the user to several crucial elements. In urban planning, the development of GIS visualizations requires a careful selection of data layers and sources, considering the necessary data collection, cleansing and precessing. It is essencial to consider the appropriate scale,projection, and data system to ensure precision and visual attractiveness. Additionally, and not less important, data sources utilized should be referenced.

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3 Select your tools

Depending on your data and your goal, you may need different tools to create your GIS visualization. There are many software options available, from desktop applications to web-based platforms, that can help you perform spatial analysis, create maps and charts, and customize their appearance and functionality. Some examples are ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Maps, and Tableau. You should choose the tools that suit your skills, your budget, and your needs.

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Seyed Hassan Masoumi Eshkavari

PhD. of Urban Planning
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Creation of GIS visualizations and application of G.I.S in urban planning: - Producing necessary maps and using spatial surveys - The application of adaptation of maps and spatial information - Production of urban and regional information: storage, updating, modification, and analysis of information

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4 Design your layout

Once you have your data and your tools, you can start designing the layout of your GIS visualization. This is where you decide how to arrange the elements of your map or chart, such as the title, the legend, the scale bar, the north arrow, the labels, the symbols, and the colors. You should follow some basic design principles, such as balance, contrast, alignment, and hierarchy, to make your visualization clear, coherent, and appealing. You should also consider the size, the shape, and the orientation of your visualization, depending on how it will be displayed and printed.

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5 Enhance your story

A good GIS visualization is not only informative, but also engaging and persuasive. You can enhance the story of your visualization by adding some features that highlight the main points, show the trends or patterns, compare the scenarios, or invite the interaction. Some examples are annotations, insets, charts, animations, sliders, and filters. You should use these features sparingly and strategically, to avoid cluttering or confusing your visualization.

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6 Test and refine

The final step is to test and refine your GIS visualization, before you share it with your audience. You should check for any errors or inaccuracies in your data, your analysis, or your design. You should also solicit feedback from your colleagues, your clients, or your users, and see how they interpret and react to your visualization. You may need to make some adjustments or improvements, based on their comments and suggestions. You should also evaluate the impact and the effectiveness of your visualization, and learn from the experience.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you create GIS visualizations that are informative and aesthetically pleasing in urban planning?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Define your goal

2 Choose your data

3 Select your tools

4 Design your layout

5 Enhance your story

6 Test and refine

7 Here’s what else to consider

Urban Planning

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How can you create GIS visualizations that are informative and aesthetically pleasing in urban planning?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your goal

2 Choose your data

3 Select your tools

4 Design your layout

5 Enhance your story

6 Test and refine

7 Here’s what else to consider

Urban Planning

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