Increase opportunity map spatial efficiency for mixed environments

The Opportunities Map ‘Increase spatial efficiency for mixed environments’ visualises Flanders-wide information on suitable locations for increasing spatial efficiency, as referred to in the Strategic Vision Space Flanders Policy Plan (BRV). The opportunity card is a knowledge base that can be used for policy preparation. From a cartographic angle, the opportunity map shows the suitability of a location for increased efficiency within the existing space shed and only from a Flemish perspective. It is evident that use must be carried out in combination with other policy elements of the BRV. In addition, every efficiency-enhancing initiative must be tailored to the environment, taking into account local context, quality of living, etc. The map of opportunities makes abstraction of legal-planological zoning zones and protections (or determinations) of heritage values. This opportunity card applies to the (re-)development of mixed environments. This means existing space fittings in which a mix of living, working, facilities, etc. is realised. The opportunity map cannot be used for business parks or other ‘monofunctional’ plants, or special functions (e.g. a power plant, a motocross terrain, etc.). This opportunity card shows potentials through a score on a quasi continuous scale. The scoring is based on a GIS processing, where different spatial criteria are combined with each other. These spatial criteria are a translation of a well-considered selection of development principles from the strategic vision BRV that counts for the choice of location of mixed environments for living, working and facilities. These development principles are combined in a balancing chart that guides the drawing up of the opportunity map. The probability card “Increase spatial efficiency for mixed environments” is drafted in the form of a grid-shaped GIS file. In the first instance, all the card layers used are surprised at a resolution of 10x10m and combined with each other. Nevertheless, some important input layers have a less fine level of detail. Therefore, the probability card in a final processing step is reduced to a resolution of 1 ha by the mediating of the original grid cells formatted at 10x10m resolution. The final opportunity map can thus help to make a statement about increasing spatial efficiency within the existing space shed and this at a level of detail of 1 ha. All details about the method of formatting this product can be consulted in the technical report: ‘Poelmans Lien, Hambsch Lorenz, Willems Peter, Mertens Geert (2022), Opportunities map increase spatial efficiency & expand opportunities map spatially for mixed environments — update 2021 — technical description’, which can be found at https://archief.onderzoek.omgeving.vlaanderen.be/Onderzoek-3212955 This opportunity map was compiled using the most recent and best available map layers available at the beginning of 2021. Nevertheless, the most dominant input data (in particular those of the public transport hubs and facilities) reflect the situation in 2019. It is evident that an opportunity map based on evolving parameters is also dynamic in nature. For example, an update could also take into account future nodes, a changed valuation of elements in the physical system, a changing supply of facilities or public transport offerings, etc. This opportunity card is a replacement of an older version with condition 2015 (published in 2021).