Toolbox
Desk Research
Toolbox Themes
- Urban Nature
- Urban Health
- Socio-spatial Inclusion
- Sustainable Urban Mobility
Objectives
Gather existing data of the area (city, neighbourhood, sector) and generate spatial base maps needed to support the analysis and the plan development.
Results
Repository of existing data (literature review, existing surveys, etc.)
Maps, diagrams and data visualisations
Description
In the desk research activity spatial, qualitative and quantitative data is collected regarding the current conditions of the area. While the Contextualisation Block A provides a general understanding of the context and the existing planning documents, this activity aims to gather and compile more detailed data required to analyse the city. Information at national and regional levels should also be collected and analysed to understand the wider context the area is inserted in and how the various aspects and existing conditions of the surrounding zone impacts the development and functioning of the city.
This activity considers information at different scales (national, regional and local/ city level) related to planning frameworks and processes, governance and administrative boundaries, the natural environment and agriculture, demographic and social aspects, historical and current climate trends, the built environment, mobility and transportation, basic services provision, migration trends, healthcare system organisation, health risks, etc.
Usually, some data is already available in the government and institutional websites, or in the municipality offices as a soft or hard copy. The technical team should consult all the available sources, including cartography gathered in the previous activities, open-source shapefiles, satellite images, historical pictures, climographs etc. UN-Habitat recommends using an open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) software to adopt an evidence-based approach for urban development. Whenever some data is not available or outdated, it is worth conducting the following field research activity to produce new data. The information is then digitised and consolidated in a single digital project. The data is then compiled into a series of spatial base maps and diagrams that describe the current conditions of the city regarding different topics.
Steps
- Define the area of analysis and different scales of work.
- Set up the initial broad analysis framework or topics of investigation.
- Define the content list of the analysis.
- Review existing cartography and plans gathered during the contextualisation Block.
- Collect data from municipal, sub-national or national offices, academic institutes and/or open-source websites.
- Organise the data according to the themes presented in the T14 Desk and Field Research - Maps and Data Checklist.
- Consolidate and digitalise all the data into a single GIS database (T14 Desk and Field Research - Maps and Data Checklist).
- Identify the missing data that should be purchased and/or gathered in the Field Research (Activity 13).
- Compile different spatial base maps (T14 Desk and Field Research - Maps and Data Checklist).
Sustainable Urban Mobility
To conduct effective desk research for sustainable urban mobility planning, reliable data sources are essential. Key datasets, such as transport strategy documents, land-use plans, road inventories, crash reports, public transit data, traffic flow studies, modal share statistics, and parking availability, provide critical insights into the existing mobility landscape. These resources allow planners to assess current trends, analyse system performance, and identify gaps in infrastructure and services. Review T14 Data Checklist to find specific data linked to mobility.
Desk research draws from these diverse datasets to form a comprehensive picture of urban mobility. Transport strategy documents and land-use plans reveal the alignment between mobility goals and urban development, while road inventories offer detailed views of infrastructure quality. Crash data helps identify safety concerns, and data on public transit, traffic flow, and modal share shows how residents move through the city. This combination of insights enables planners to answer essential questions about transportation options, congestion, infrastructure adequacy, and parking availability, creating a strong foundation for future sustainable mobility strategies.
Urban Health
It is crucial to understand the broader context in which health challenges unfold, to conduct effective desk research for urban health planning. This involves examining the burden of disease in the specific context, alongside the social determinants of health, which play a pivotal role in shaping health outcomes. These determinants include factors such as education, income, job opportunities, housing quality, access to healthcare services, and gender, all of which intersect to impact the overall health of urban populations. By analysing these factors, planners can better understand the root causes of health disparities and design more targeted, equitable interventions.
In addition to disease burden data, it is also important to consider other contextual information such as environmental factors, healthcare infrastructure and services, and social inequalities. Urban areas often face unique health challenges, from air pollution and inadequate housing to limited access to healthcare services, all of which can exacerbate health disparities. Creating a comprehensive understanding of these conditions helps identify where interventions are most needed. Review T14 Data Checklist to find specific data linked to Urban Health.
Additional resources:
State of inequality: reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health
Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment
National climate hazard indices for health
Urban Nature
The identification and mapping of ecologically significant areas, using GIS tools and remote sensing techniques is an important part of desk research. High-resolution satellite imagery, LiDAR data, and multi-temporal land cover classification can be used to identify and delineate key features such as natural habitats, green spaces and corridors, water bodies and biodiversity hotspots.
This spatial analysis includes gathering data on ecological indicators such as the proportion of natural areas within the city, connectivity measures or ecological networks to counter fragmentation. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can provide information on vegetation health assessment, tree canopy coverage, and the extent of protected and conservation-priority areas. In addition, qualitative assessments can provide insights into ecosystem health and urban nature accessibility. Understanding these factors will help inform conservation priorities, guide restoration efforts, and support the integration of nature-based solutions in underserved areas.
In addition, data on species distribution and biodiversity can be used, focusing on metrics like the variety of plants, birds, insects and invasive alien species. These datasets will serve as the ecological baseline for subsequent biodiversity and ecosystem services assessments, informing conservation planning, restoration strategies, and the integration of nature-based solutions in urban development. Review T14 Data Checklist to find specific data linked to Urban Nature.
Additional Resources:
Evaluating the impact of nature-based solutions (European Union)
Green area factor tool
Urban Nature Index (IUCN)