ANALYTICAL MAPPING

Dr. Simon K. Dankyi

PL 157: Geography for Planners
March 12, 2021
 2
Outline

o Introduction

o Types of Analytical Maps

o Accessibility and Service Area Analysis

o Analytical Mapping Techniques

o Symbols used on Analytical Maps

re?
 3
Introduction

 Analytical maps concerns how to gather and present information

gathered.
 This is often summarized in
 maps,
 charts,
 tables and
 other graphic presentations.
 They help the planner to deal with some issues and questions in
spatial organization.
 4
Introduction (con’t)

 One of the most important tasks of spatial planners is to

present information and analysis in ways that are easy to
understand and to visualize.

 This is particularly important when they are dealing with

policy-makers who may not be familiar with spatial
analysis techniques and with government officials and
local leaders who may not be highly trained in spatial
analysis.
 5
Types of Analytical Maps

 Thematic Maps
 Statistical Maps
 Topographical Maps
 Street Maps
 Dot Map
 Proportional Symbol Maps
 Isoline Map
 Flow Map
 Value by Area Map
 6
Thematic Maps

Thematic Maps
 They are maps that concentrate on a set of activities,
characteristics or socio-economic features of an area, that
is; population distribution, location of infrastructure,
movements of goods and services (flow analysis)
economic characteristics of settlements or other important
factors that can be drawn or symbolised.

 Maps that depict distributions and illustrate diffusion

processes that are grouped into the general category of
thematic maps.
 7
Thematic Maps
 8
Statistical Maps

 Used to show the

spatial distribution of
social or economic
characteristics,
population, activities
resources or other
features that exist at
different levels or in
different quantities in
various parts of an area.
 9
Topographical Map

 They are maps that record physical

features of an area that is; rivers,
forests, hills etc.
 Topography concerns the shape
and character of the Earth's surface,
and maps were among the first
artifacts to record these
observations. In modern mapping,
a topographic map or topographic
sheet is a type of map
characterized by large-scale detail
and quantitative representation of
relief, usually using contour lines
(connecting points of equal
elevation), but historically using a
variety of methods. Traditional
definitions require a topographic
map to show both natural and
 10
Street Map

 A road map, route map,

or street map is a map
that primarily displays
roads and transport links
rather than natural
geographical
information. A road map
may also document non-
automotive transit
routes, although often
these are found only on
transit maps.
 11
Dot Map

 A dot distribution map,

or dot density map, is a
type of thematic map
that uses a point symbol
to visualize the
geographic distribution
of a large number of
related phenomena.
Dot maps rely on a
visual scatter to show
spatial patterns,
especially variances in
 12
Proportional Symbol Map

 A Proportional symbol
map is a type of Thematic
map that uses map
symbols that vary in size
to represent a
quantitative variable.
Symbols vary in height,
length, area, or volume
from place to place
depending on the variable
that they represent
 13
Isoline Maps

 Isoline maps show lines

that join up areas or
values that are equal.
Atmospheric pressure is
shown using an isoline
map. The areas of equal
pressure are joined using
a line, which helps
people to see the
position of high and
low pressure systems.
 14
Flow Map

 Flow Maps in cartography can be

defined as a mix of maps that show the
movement of quantities from one
location to another, such as the number
of people travelling, the amount of
goods being traded, or the number of
packets in a network.

 The width of the connections shows

the quantity. Sometimes you flow maps
with arrows to display the direction of
the movement.
 15
Value by Area Map

 The cartogram, or
value-by-area map, is a
popular technique for
cartographically
representing social
data.
 16
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis

 The collection and analysis of spatial and functional

data help planners to make investment decisions that
will promote economic growth with a high degree of
social and geographic equity.

 New investments in services, facilities, infrastructure

and productive activities should be located in such a
way as to enhance the accessibility of populations living
in rural areas to the functions that are located in central-
place settlements.
 17
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis
(con’t)
 Before such locational decisions can be made, it is
necessary to know how accessible existing settlements
and functions are to the population living within the
settlement and to those living in immediate surrounding
areas.

 One dimension of accessibility is physical- the amount

of time and the distance people must travel from the
places where they live to the places where functions are
located.
 18
Accessibility and Service Area
Analysis (con’t)
 In rural regions, particularly, physical accessibility is a major
factor determining which groups can participate in the
activities located in towns and cities.
 Obviously, however, it is not the only factor. Perhaps equally
important are;
 the disposable incomes and purchasing power of potential
clients or costumers
 people’s knowledge about the existence of facilities
 their level of education
 their skills in making use of services and facilities and
 other social and political factors.
 19
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis
(con’t.)
 Physical distance plays an important role in accessibility.

 It determines to a large extent the differential cost of a

service or facility for people living at different distances
from its location.

 People’s knowledge of the existence or use of a service

or facility is also determined in part by their physical
access to it.
 20
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis
(con’t.)
 To some extent, the effective demand for a service or
facility is determined by the probability that people can
have physical access to it.

 Living near a school, for example, makes people more

aware of the existence of educational services.

 It lowers their cost of travel and increases the

probability that they will be able to attend or to send
their children to school.
 21
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis
(con’t.)
 The comparism of locations of population and functions
can provide an effective initial indicator of accessibility
that can be refined with information about income,
knowledge and effective demand.
 Accessibility studies are most effectively used in
conjunction with other methods to cross-check and
refine them.
 Several methods have been used to determine the
service areas or functions and in combination, that of
settlements.
 22
Accessibility and Service Area Analysis
(con’t.)
 Usually, the service areas of settlements are composite
indicators of the accessibility of major functions located
within them.

 These methods include functional service-area indexes,

market area and commodity flow networks, service
area cluster maps and accessibility models.
 23
Analytical Mapping Techniques

 GPS tracklogs- helps in getting the shape of a

street. Turn the GPS on and let it record tracklogs as
you move.

 Digital photography-Digital cameras are useful for

recording street names, village name and other features.

 Armchair mapping-Interpreting existing traces and aerial

imagery
 24
Analytical Mapping Techniques
(con’t.)
 Other Analytical Mapping Techniques include:
 Carbon Paper Mapping
 Tracing
 Photocopying
 GIS Method
 High resolution Satellite/Aerial Imagery-
 GPS Waypoints
 Voice recording / Audio mapping
 25
Symbols used on Analytical Maps

 The most effective type of map, table or chart to use

depends on the types of data to be presented, the
emphasis or focus that is desired and the ability of the
audience to comprehend the information.

 It is the planner’s responsibility to select those mapping

techniques that are most likely to highlight the relevant
implications of the data/ information that are most likely
to be understood by those who must make decisions
about the information presented
 26
Symbols used on Analytical Maps
(con’t.)
 When differences in degree or level are to be shown in
a non-quantitative manner, various symbols, letters or
types of shading can be used at different locations on
the map.

a. When it is important to show on the map quantities

distributed among places or quantities distributed at
specific points the following can be used:
 27
Symbols used on Analytical Maps
(con’t.)
 Repeated unit symbols , for example, small drawing of a
cow at each location representing 100 herd of cattle raised
in that place.

 Proportional bars – representing different level or amounts in

relation to a whole at each place.

 Square, circles, spheres or cubes – with each symbol

representing different amounts or proportions.

 Graduated range of symbols – Examples are circles of

different sizes representing larger amounts or percentages.
 28
Symbols used on Analytical Maps
(con’t.)
b. For showing quantities distributed in an area, the
following mapping devices can be used;

 Dots – With the density of dots representing the

amount within the area.
 Shading – the darker the shading the greater the amount
or percentage for example, mountain - shades of
brown; forests- shades of green.
 Proportional shading
 Isolines – Connecting areas with equal amounts or
levels.
 29
Symbols used on Analytical Maps
(con’t.)
c. For showing quantities distributed along a line such as a
road, river, or railroad, the following devices can be used;

 Bands with proportional widths or graduated size

indicating the level or amount, e.g. Population along the
line of flow.
 30

Thank you