Learning outcomes

Resources

<aside> ℹ️ Here you can access all educational resources including slides, map, exercise files, etc., for teaching purposes.

</aside>

What is spatial analysis?

Spatial analysis involves the application of analytical techniques to geographic data, revealing valuable insights that drive decision-making across diverse domains. Through the identification of spatial relationships and patterns, the objective is to convert raw data into actionable insights. This process encompasses various tools and methodologies, including data exploration and geometric or spatial relationship transformations, which enable comprehensive analysis and interpretation of spatial data.

Map illustrating a spatial analysis of expired license buildings, featuring a buffer analysis to examine their surrounding areas and a boundary spatial extent to identify clusters of such buildings.

Map illustrating a spatial analysis of expired license buildings, featuring a buffer analysis to examine their surrounding areas and a boundary spatial extent to identify clusters of such buildings.

As industries increasingly leverage diverse data sources like remote sensing, drones, and Internet of Things devices, the demand for spatial analysis professionals is on the rise. Recognizing the crucial role of spatial analysis in decision-making and resource optimization, organizations are actively seeking skilled practitioners in this field. This trend aligns with the growth trajectory of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Market, projected to reach USD 14.5 Billion by 2025 from USD 11.4 Billion in 2022. It underscores the expanding opportunities and significance of spatial analysis expertise in today's data-driven landscape.

PwC's latest blog post sheds light on the indispensable role of GIS across diverse industries and underscores the criticality of spatial analysis in enhancing efficiency and leveraging data in today's dynamic landscape

PwC's latest blog post sheds light on the indispensable role of GIS across diverse industries and underscores the criticality of spatial analysis in enhancing efficiency and leveraging data in today's dynamic landscape

Applications of spatial analysis

Spatial analysis is not just a theoretical concept but a dynamic tool utilized across numerous industries to tackle real-world challenges. From urban planning initiatives to environmental conservation efforts, spatial analysis is instrumental in informing decisions and optimizing resources. For instance, in healthcare, spatial analysis aids in disease mapping, identifying high-risk areas for targeted interventions. Similarly, in other sectors such as infrastructure planning, spatial analysis helps prioritize investments in sanitary infrastructure, empowering informed decision-making grounded in geographical data. By harnessing the power of spatial data, industries can make informed decisions that positively impact communities and ecosystems alike.

Felt map illustrating the distribution of rainwater collection sites in Mexico City, aiding in identifying areas with inadequate infrastructure. Explore further details about this map here.

Felt map illustrating the distribution of rainwater collection sites in Mexico City, aiding in identifying areas with inadequate infrastructure. Explore further details about this map here.

Steps of spatial analysis

Screenshot 2024-05-15 at 21.37.16.png

Typically, our initial step involves defining the research question or problem guiding our analysis, ensuring focus and purpose. We then gather relevant spatial data from various sources to provide the foundation for our investigation. Next, we carefully select the appropriate tools and methods, crucial as they shape our exploration and interpretation of spatial relationships within the data. Following this, we employ them to delve into spatial relationships, uncovering patterns and valuable insights. Ultimately, we craft outputs that effectively communicate our findings, ensuring they inform decision-making processes. It's worth noting that outputs from this analysis aren't always new layers; they can also involve exploratory analysis directly on the dataset, similar to techniques used in Exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA).