SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS

PHASE (04)
Miss Wajeeha Kazim
OVERLAY ANALYSIS

• Overlay analysis in ArcGIS involves combining multiple layers or datasets

to create a new layer that contains information from the original layers.
This process allows you to analyze the relationships between different
spatial datasets and derive meaningful insights. Here's a basic overview of
how to perform overlay analysis in ArcGIS:
• Start with Data Preparation:
• Ensure that the datasets you want to overlay are loaded into your ArcGIS project.
• Make sure that the coordinate systems of the datasets are compatible.

• Access the Overlay Tools:

• In ArcGIS, overlay analysis is typically performed using the "Analysis" tools available
in the toolbox.
• Common overlay tools include "Union," "Intersect," "Identity," "Symmetrical
Difference," "Update," and "Erase."
OVERLAY ANALYSIS

• Select the Overlay Tool:

• Depending on the type of analysis you want to perform, choose the appropriate overlay tool. For
example, if you want to find the common area between two layers, you might use the "Intersect"
tool.

• Configure Tool Parameters:

• Each overlay tool has specific parameters that need to be configured. This includes selecting the
input layers, specifying the output location, and defining any additional options.
• Pay attention to field mapping options, as they determine how attributes from the input layers are
preserved in the output.

• Run the Overlay Tool:

• Execute the overlay tool to perform the analysis. ArcGIS will create a new layer that represents the
spatial relationships between the input layers.

• Review and Analyze Results:

• Once the overlay analysis is complete, examine the output layer. This layer will contain the
combined information from the input layers based on the chosen overlay method.
• You can use the attribute table and symbology to visualize and analyze the results.
OVERLAY ANALYSIS

• Refine and Iterate:

• Depending on your analysis goals, you may need to refine the process or iterate with
different parameters or tools.
• Experiment with different overlay methods to gain insights into spatial relationships.

• Document and Share:

• Document your analysis steps and results for future reference.
• Share your findings using maps or reports created in ArcGIS.

• Remember that the specific steps and tools you use may vary based on your
analysis requirements and the version of ArcGIS you are using. Always
refer to the ArcGIS documentation or help resources for detailed
information and guidance.
OVERLAY ANALYSIS

• Refine and Iterate:

• Depending on your analysis goals, you may need to refine the process or iterate with
different parameters or tools.
• Experiment with different overlay methods to gain insights into spatial relationships.

• Document and Share:

• Document your analysis steps and results for future reference.
• Share your findings using maps or reports created in ArcGIS.

• Remember Student that the specific steps and tools you use may vary based
on your analysis requirements, Always refer to the ArcGIS documentation
or help resources for detailed information and guidance.
INTERSECT TOOL
• Scenario: You have a map of city boundaries and a map of parks, and you want to
find the areas where parks intersect with city boundaries.

1. Open the ArcGIS toolbox and navigate to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Intersect."
2. Set the input features:
3. Input Features: City_Boundaries.shp
4. Overlay Features: Parks.shp
5. Output Feature Class: City_Park_Intersect.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, City_Park_Intersect.shp, will contain the areas where
parks intersect with city boundaries.
UNION TOOL
• Scenario: You have two layers representing land parcels and zoning districts. You
want to create a new layer that combines the attributes of both layers.

1. Go to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Union."

2. Configure the tool:
3. Input Features: Land_Parcels.shp
4. Overlay Features: Zoning_Districts.shp
5. Output Feature Class: Land_Parcels_Union.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, Land_Parcels_Union.shp, will contain polygons
representing the combination of land parcels and zoning districts with merged
attributes.
IDENTITY TOOL
• Scenario: You have a map of rivers and a map of administrative boundaries. You
want to identify the portions of administrative boundaries that coincide with rivers.

1. Navigate to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Identity."

2. Configure the tool:
3. Input Features: Administrative_Boundaries.shp
4. Identity Features: Rivers.shp
5. Output Feature Class: Admin_Boundaries_Identity.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, Admin_Boundaries_Identity.shp, will contain the
administrative boundaries, and the attributes will include information about the
rivers that intersect each boundary.
SYMMETRICAL DIFFERENCE TOOL
• Scenario: You have two layers representing land parcels owned by two
different organizations. You want to identify the areas that are unique to
each organization and not shared between them.

1. Go to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Symmetrical Difference."

2. Set the input features:
3. Input Features: Organization1_Land_Parcels.shp
4. Difference Features: Organization2_Land_Parcels.shp
5. Output Feature Class: Org1_Org2_SymDiff.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, Org1_Org2_SymDiff.shp, will contain
polygons representing the areas that are unique to each organization, as
well as the shared boundaries with attributes reflecting the differences.
UPDATE TOOL
• Scenario: You have a dataset of land parcels, and there is a new survey that
updates the attribute information for some parcels. You want to incorporate the
updated information into your existing dataset.

1. Go to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Update."

2. Configure the tool:
3. Input Features: Existing_Land_Parcels.shp
4. Update Features: Updated_Land_Parcels.shp
5. Output Feature Class: Updated_Land_Parcels_Output.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, Updated_Land_Parcels_Output.shp, will contain the
original land parcels with updated attributes where they overlap with the updated
dataset.
ERASE TOOL
• Scenario: You have a layer representing a study area, and within this study area,
there is a protected area that you want to exclude from further analysis. You want
to create a new layer that represents the study area without the protected area.
1. Navigate to "Analysis Tools > Overlay > Erase."
2. Set the input features:
3. Input Features: Study_Area.shp
4. Erase Features: Protected_Area.shp
5. Output Feature Class: Study_Area_No_Protected.shp
6. Run the tool. The output, Study_Area_No_Protected.shp, will represent the
study area excluding the protected area.