Creating a Place Analysis and Starting an Impact Assessment

Overview

PlaceChangers includes analysis tools to assess sites and evaluate potential impacts. This guide covers creating a place analysis and starting an impact assessment using the platform's analytical features.

What is Place Analysis?

Place Analysis is a comprehensive assessment tool that helps you:

• Understand Site Context: Analyse the area around your site
• Evaluate Constraints: Identify physical and regulatory constraints
• Assess Accessibility: Calculate access scores and catchment areas
• Generate Insights: Automatically generate analytical data and visualisations
• Support Decision-Making: Provide evidence for planning and development decisions

Prerequisites

Before creating an analysis, ensure you have:

• A Site with a defined boundary
• A Layout (Version) associated with the site
• Appropriate permissions to create analyses
• A paid subscription (some analysis features require paid access)

Step 1: Access Analysis Creation

From a Site

1. Navigate to your Site
2. Click Start new button
3. Select Analysis from the menu
4. You'll be taken to the analysis setup page

From a Layout (Version)

1. Navigate to Version → [Your Layout]
2. Click Start new button
3. Select Analysis from the menu
4. The layout will be pre-selected for the analysis

Direct Navigation

• Go to Analysis → Setup (if available in navigation)
• Use the URL: /analysis/setup  

Step 2: Basic Analysis Setup

Analysis Name

1. Enter a descriptive name for your analysis
   • Default: "Layout analysis" (you should change this)
   • Best Practice: Use names like "City Centre Impact Assessment" or "Site Constraints Analysis"
   • Keep it concise but descriptive

Select Site

If not pre-selected:

1. Use the Site dropdown to search for and select a site
2. The site's boundary will be used for the analysis
3. Only sites with boundaries can be used

Note: If you started from a site, this will already be selected.

Select Layout

1. Once a site is selected, the Layout field appears
2. Choose an existing layout for that site, or
3. Leave empty to auto-generate a new layout
4. The layout name will be: "Analysis layout - [Current Date]"

Important: The layout determines which features and map elements are included in your analysis.

Create the Analysis

1. Review all information
2. Click Next or Create
3. The system will:
   • Create the layout (if new)
   • Create the analysis
   • Redirect you to the analysis page

Step 3: Configure Analysis Settings

After creating the analysis, configure the analysis parameters:

Accessing Analysis Settings

1. Navigate to Version → [Your Layout] → Analysis
2. Click Analysis settings button
3. The settings panel will appear

Context Scope

Choose what area to analyse:

• Site context only: Analyse only the area around the site boundary (buffer zone)
• Site context and on site: Analyse both the buffer zone and the site itself

When to use each:

• Site context only: When you want to understand surrounding context without site-specific features
• Site context and on site: When you need a complete picture including site features

Site Context Width (Buffer)

Set the width of the buffer zone around your site:

1. Enter a value in metres
2. This defines how far beyond the site boundary to include in analysis
3. Common values:
   • Small sites: 100-500 metres
   • Medium sites: 500-1000 metres
   • Large sites: 1000-2000 metres
   • Regional analysis: 2000+ metres

Considerations:

• Larger buffers provide more context but take longer to process
• Consider the scale of your project
• Think about what surrounding features are relevant

Generate Analysis

1. Review your settings
2. Click Generate (or Regenerate if updating existing analysis)
3. The system will begin processing your analysis
4. You'll see a progress indicator

Note: Analysis generation can take time depending on:

• Buffer size
• Area complexity
• Amount of data to process
• Current system load

Step 4: Understanding Analysis Modes

PlaceChangers offers different analysis modes:

Charts Mode

Purpose: View analytical data and insights

Features:

• Map-based charts and visualisations
• Data summaries
• Statistical information
• Feature-specific analysis

Access: Default view when analysis is complete

Catchment Areas (Pedsheds)

Purpose: Calculate and visualise accessibility catchments

Features:

• Walking distance analysis
• Travel time calculations
• Service catchment areas
• Accessibility scoring

Use Cases:

• Understanding who can access the site
• Evaluating service provision
• Planning transport connections
• Assessing walkability

Constraints

Purpose: Identify physical and regulatory constraints

Features:

• Physical constraints (topography, water, etc.)
• Regulatory constraints (protected areas, designations)
• Distance-based constraints
• Visual constraint mapping

Use Cases:

• Development feasibility
• Planning compliance
• Risk assessment
• Site selection

Step 5: Running Impact Assessments

What is an Impact Assessment?

An Impact Assessment uses analysis tools to evaluate potential effects of development or changes. It combines:

• Place Analysis: Understanding current conditions
• Constraint Analysis: Identifying limitations
• Accessibility Analysis: Evaluating connectivity
• Context Analysis: Understanding surroundings

Starting an Impact Assessment

1. Complete Place Analysis: Follow steps 1-3 above
2. Review Analysis Results: Examine charts and data
3. Analyse Constraints: Review constraint mapping
4. Assess Accessibility: Review catchment areas and access scores
5. Document Findings: Use analysis data in reports

Impact Assessment Workflow

Phase 1: Baseline Analysis

1. Create place analysis
2. Configure analysis settings
3. Generate baseline data
4. Review current conditions

Phase 2: Constraint Identification

1. Navigate to Constraints mode
2. Review identified constraints
3. Categorise constraints by type
4. Assess constraint severity

Phase 3: Accessibility Evaluation

1. Navigate to Catchment Areas mode
2. Configure catchment parameters
3. Generate catchment areas
4. Review access scores

Phase 4: Impact Evaluation

1. Compare baseline to proposed changes
2. Assess constraint impacts
3. Evaluate accessibility changes
4. Document findings

Step 6: Working with Analysis Results

Viewing Analysis Charts

1. Navigate to Analysis view
2. Charts and visualisations appear automatically
3. Click on map features to see feature-specific analysis
4. Use filters and controls to explore data

Understanding Access Scores

Access scores evaluate how accessible a location is:

• Higher scores: Better accessibility
• Lower scores: Reduced accessibility
• Factors considered: Transport links, services, amenities
• Use: Compare different locations or assess improvements

Reviewing Constraints

1. Navigate to Constraints mode
2. View constraint layers on the map
3. Click constraints for details
4. Review constraint types and distances
5. Assess impact on development

Generating Catchment Areas

1. Navigate to Catchment Areas mode
2. Configure parameters:
   • Walking distance/time
   • Transport modes
   • Service types
3. Generate catchments
4. Review and export results

Analysis Features

Automatic Data Generation

The system automatically:

• Fetches Context Data: Gathers relevant data for the analysis area
• Calculates Metrics: Computes accessibility, constraints, etc.
• Generates Visualisations: Creates charts and maps
• Processes Features: Analyses map features and locations

Email Notifications

When analysis generation is running:

• You'll receive an email when processing starts
• You'll receive an email when processing completes
• You can safely close the window while processing
• Check email for completion notifications

Analysis Status

Monitor analysis progress:

• Running: Analysis is being generated
• Complete: Analysis is ready to view
• Failed: Analysis encountered an error (contact support)

Best Practices

Planning Your Analysis

• Define Objectives: Know what you want to assess
• Choose Appropriate Buffer: Balance context with processing time
• Select Relevant Layout: Ensure layout has necessary features
• Consider Timing: Allow time for analysis generation

Analysis Settings

• Start Conservative: Begin with smaller buffers, increase if needed
• Site Context First: Often "Site context only" is sufficient
• Test Settings: Try different configurations to find optimal settings
• Document Settings: Note your configuration for reproducibility

Impact Assessment

• Baseline First: Always establish baseline before assessing impacts
• Multiple Scenarios: Consider running analyses for different scenarios
• Document Assumptions: Record what assumptions you're making
• Regular Updates: Update analysis as conditions change

Working with Results

• Review Thoroughly: Take time to understand the data
• Cross-Reference: Compare different analysis modes
• Export Data: Save important results for reports
• Share Findings: Use analysis in stakeholder communications

Common Issues

Analysis Not Generating

• Check Subscription: Ensure you have paid access
• Verify Site Boundary: Site must have a defined boundary
• Check Settings: Ensure all required settings are configured
• Contact Support: If issues persist, contact support

Analysis Taking Too Long

• Reduce Buffer Size: Smaller buffers process faster
• Be Patient: Large analyses can take significant time
• Check Email: You'll be notified when complete

Missing Data

• Verify Context Scope: Check if you need "on site" data
• Check Buffer Width: May need larger buffer for context
• Review Layout: Ensure layout has necessary features
• Regenerate: Try regenerating with different settings

Constraints Not Appearing

• Check Feature Flags: Ensure constraint features are enabled
• Verify Analysis Complete: Constraints appear after analysis generation
• Review Settings: Check context scope settings
• Contact Support: If constraints should appear but don't