Toolbox
Analysis
Toolbox Themes
- Climate Action
- Urban Nature
- Urban Health
- Socio-spatial Inclusion
- Sustainable Urban Mobility
Objectives
Using a variety of methods, interpret the data gathered to understand the area's current urban structure, and to identify its main features and relations with the territory and the surrounding settlements.
Results
Spatial and statistical analysis
Analysis report describing the findings and outcome of the analysis
Description
This activity comprises a comprehensive urban analysis at different scales (national, regional, local and city-wide), covering a variety of aspects related to environment, resilience, prosperity, social inclusion, etc. This activity focuses on investigating the causes of the challenges identified in previous activities, how they relate to each other and their impact on the population. The analysis should be aligned with the plan’s objective and the specific context. A key aspect for the plan development is the demographic and density projections and the amount of densification or expansion of land needed. Current worldwide trends of urbanisation show that there is a strong pressure on cities in developing contexts. Therefore, any plan must consider the estimated demographic growth of the next 15 years and the required land to accommodate it.
Spatial analysis can be conducted with a variety of methods and tools, both digital and analogical, depending on the capacities of the technical team and the advisory committee. Spatial analysis tools integrate and overlay spatial datasets to capture the complexity of built-environment systems, gathered through desk and field research. They also produce additional spatial information layers, enabling the simultaneous assessment of sectors such as transport and mobility, housing, green spaces, utility networks, and public and social services. This approach supports a more integrated planning process. The development of spatial analysis maps then support the development of the diagnosis, in which challenges and opportunities for the urban area are identified.
Steps
- Review the data gathered and the base maps.
- Define the key analysis to conduct, considering the available information, the objective of the plan, and the main preliminarily identified challenges in the T14 Desk and Field Research - Maps and Data Checklist.
- Identify knowledge gaps at the local level and prepare training and capacity-building activities to perform before the analysis.
- Calculate the demographic and density projections, and evaluate if planned urban expansion areas are required (T19 Demographic and Density Projections).
- If relevant, develop T15 Matrix of Functions (MoF) to further understand the spatial structure and the land use.
- If relevant to the local context, analyse local vulnerability to natural and climate change-related hazards (T20 Vulnerability Assessment) - See Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action box below.
- If possible, invite some stakeholders from the advisory committee to support the analysis
- Work iteratively at different scales considering a variety of topics.
- Compile the analysis into a series of spatial maps and write a brief description for each.
- Consolidate all findings and maps in an analysis report.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Action
At this point, the collected data can also be used to analyse and map area-specific vulnerability to hazard events, taking into account the exposure and sensitivity to environmental risks, as well as the response capacity that can help avert potential impacts.
The exposure to hazards should be considered revising the records on previous disasters. For climate-related hazards it is possible to use both existing and projected climate risks to identify the extent to which the expected population and different sectors will be affected. This can be done through a vulnerability analysis by initially responding to the following questions: How is the area exposed to different hazards? How is the area affected by climate change today and in the future? How sensitive are your area’s population, places and institutions to this exposure? Who is most vulnerable and least able to adapt? What sectors are most impacted?
Tool:
T20 Vulnerability Assessment
Additional Resources:
Planning for Climate Change
Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk
Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities
Common Global Reporting Framework
Prepared Communities: Implementing the Urban Community Resilience Assessment in Vulnerable Neighbourhoods of Three Cities
Municipal Climate Action Strategy for San Nicolás de los Garza
Sustainable Urban Mobility
Collected data enables urban areas to pinpoint challenges in sustainable urban mobility by examining current mobility modes, barriers to access, and system performance. This analysis reveals critical gaps between the existing mobility landscape and the goals for low-carbon, efficient, and inclusive transport, guiding the design of targeted strategies to bridge these gaps.
Key considerations include identifying obstacles to low-carbon mobility adoption and understanding interactions between different mobility systems. Data on traffic flows, public transport usage, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian networks helps uncover inefficiencies and improvement areas. Additionally, assessing data-driven solutions and smart mobility technologies supports optimization and emissions reduction. By comparing current performance metrics with long-term sustainability targets, cities can measure the gap between current and desired mobility outcomes, focusing on accessibility, barriers, and the effectiveness of current systems in advancing low-carbon goals.
Tool:
T25 Mobility and Transportation Problem Mapping
Additional Resources:
Kisumu Sustainable Mobility Plan (Chapters 3 and 4)
El estado de la Movilidad Urbana Sostenible en Bolivia (Chapters 2 and 3)
Guidelines for Developing and Implementing a SUMP in Kosovo's cities (Chapter 3)
Urban Nature
Ecosystem services in urban areas are the benefits people gain from ecosystems within cities. These services can be categorized into four main types: provisioning services, which provide resources like food, water, and raw materials; regulating services, which manage processes such as air quality, stormwater management, and temperature regulation; cultural services, which offer non-material benefits like recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, and a sense of community; and supporting services, which include functions like soil formation, nutrient cycling, and plant growth that sustain the urban environment. The T75 Ecosystem Services Assessment tool helps assess, categorize, and analyze ecosystem services in urban settings, building on data collected from previous mapping and surveys.
To assess and analyze urban nature comprehensively, the T72 Urban Nature Assessment evaluates both qualitative and quantitative aspects of urban ecosystems. When used alongside the T75 Ecosystem Services Assessment tool, which categorizes and measures the benefits provided by urban ecosystems, these tools offer a holistic approach to understanding and managing urban nature. Together, they provide a well-rounded framework for assessing ecological functions, human benefits, and overall environmental quality in cities.
Tools:
T75 Ecosystem Services Assessment
T72 Urban Nature Assessment
Additional Resources:
Hotstop Stoplight (presentation)
Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Reflection and Learning
Cities and Nature: Planning for the Future
Adaptation to climate change — Guidelines on vulnerability, impacts and risk assessment
Citywide Public Space Assessment Toolkit
Urban Health
At this stage, the collected data can also be used to analyse and map city-specific health vulnerabilities, considering both the exposure to health risks and the sensitivity of different population groups, as well as the capacity of the urban environment and healthcare systems to respond effectively. Use the Our Place Standard Tool and T70 Asset-Based Approach to develop and complement the analysis.
Exposure to health risks should be assessed by reviewing historical health data, including trends in infectious diseases, chronic health conditions, and environmental health impacts. For urban health planning, this includes examining both current and projected risks, such as the effects of air pollution, heat stress, exposure to potential areas at risk of diseases due to lack of adequate sanitary living conditions, as well as access and proximity to healthcare facilities. A vulnerability analysis can help to answer key questions: How are different urban areas exposed to health risks? How are urban populations affected by environmental and social determinants of health today and in the future? Which communities are most sensitive to these risks and least able to adapt? Which sectors, such as healthcare or housing, are most impacted by health vulnerabilities?
Tools:
T70 Asset-Based Approach tool
Additional Resources:
Our Place Standard Tool
Integrating health in urban and territorial planning: A sourcebook for urban leaders, health and planning professionals
The Urban Health Index (WHO)