Benefits of Accurate Mapping in Urban Planning and Development
Maps and mapping are important parts of recording the use of land in towns and cities, and they summarise key elements of a given area. Moreover, they create images of the population, topographical features, and local infrastructure offering a visual overview of an area and its specific characteristics such as road designs, railways, pipelines, municipal borders, zoning, and the like. Mapping provides information and helps urban planners make informed and accurate decisions.
Urban developers design towns, cities and urban spaces, like parks and public areas, while creating plans for future improvements and growth through detailed analysis. Mapping is one of the tools used mostly by geographers, geological engineers, conservationists, municipalities and architects, and maps are the basis for land use classification and planning for urban, rural and agricultural purposes.
5 Benefits of Maps and Mapping
Cartography or, the process of drawing maps, forms the basis of land information that constitutes a model of the earth’s surface. Mapping provides a better understanding of the terrain and historical land cover of an area on which immediate or future development is to take place. The benefits are numerous, some include:
- Achieving an in-depth and accurate picture of the location of buildings and structures.
- Demarcating agricultural and other uses of the land, for example, waste disposal, air pollution, essential utility areas and water catchment areas.
- It can assist in showing the terrain and forms of the Earth’s surface orientation.
- It assists in finding appropriate corridors for future road construction, connecting regions, and contributing towards a healthy economy.
- Mapping assists in keeping a consistent inventory of natural and human resources. This assists in planning well-structured development and improvement in areas that can facilitate job creation and employment.
Essential Tools for the Urban Planner
One of the primary challenges for the spatial planner is to indicate all the necessary elements on a particular map. With the space limitations on maps, the urban planner must decide which data is essential. They must have access to satisfactory updated data on numerous complex and interrelated topics while still having an overview of the area in question.
Why Use Technology for Mapping
In modern-day cartography, the amount of data that needs to be collated is immense. However, it is only useful if it can be easily accessed, shared, and utilised in real time. Our technology allows for these functions and more. On our maps, we can assess whether a new railway line might suit an area or if a bus route is more feasible, for example. If the planning is not aligned with the specific requirement, we can simply start again. For the latest technology in mapping for your community, consult with The Practice Group, where expert advice and successful outcomes meet.