Spatial Analysis

After preparing my data in IDRISI, I started the analysis using the Boolean Multi-Criteria Evaluation Approach. As seen previously in my methodology I have created Boolean maps that classify areas that are high walkability within Vancouver a 1 and the lowest walkability score of 0. I am trying to find areas that have low walkability scores. All the variables defined are in Boolean form. Diversity was quantified to the census block population that were within walking distance of the defined diverse uses (DU).

Constraints:

Walkability constraints are based on the population density of the surface in downtown Vancouver.

We now are taking a look at the 4 diverse uses contributing to the walkability of Vancouver. Choosing four criteria to determine the relative walkability suitability. Bear in mind there are many other factors that can effect a walkability but I have chosen the distance to any park or schools and transportation methods such as the sky train and bicycle routes. People trying to walk their dog or take their children to the park typically do not want to walk too far so I have created a buffer zone of 500 metres. The distance from the selected factor will always be given a control of 500 metres which takes approximately 5-10 minutes if you were to walk at a normal pace. Therefore in the Park Factor suitable areas have a value of 1 and unsuitable areas have a value of 0.

Distance from Schools Factors were reclassified using the buffered map so that areas with less than 500 metres from any schools were suitable and areas beyond 500 metres were not suitable.

Both the distance to any Bike Routes or sky trains were reclassified with any area that is less than 500 metres from any bike routes were suitable and areas beyond the 500 metres were not suitable.

Most people prefer to walk to places without much of a hill or slope as it is easier to get to places and would rather take a longer route. As well many buildings, infrastructure as well as construction is based on low slopes therefore I reclassified the slope image to areas with a slope of less than 15% as suitable and those equal or greater than 15% was unsuitable.

Since all the factors are now in Boolean images, I am going back into the Macro Model and individually overlaying each layer to multiply together to produce a single image displaying my walkability.

Requirements:

 

Vancouver Walkability Map

The base map is a raster layer, I have layered all the orignal vector layers on top so you can see all the current location of the factors.