How to compute cool locations of sufficient size

An oft-encountered use-case in urban spatial planning is the requirement for people to have locations which are cool enough to rest and relax. It is possible to configure a sequence of calculations to determine which locations in any given area qualify.

This can be accomplished by using Average Overlays to rasterize existing features and compute radii around them, and using Combo Overlays to determine intelligently with which values any given location qualifies.

Determine which locations qualify

Main article: Combo Overlay with average overlays

Not each location usually qualifies as the desired kind of cool location. In most cases, something as simple as locations which quality as public green. In those cases, a simple Average Overlay can be used to highlight qualifying locations. However, sometimes more requirements are applicable, such as the proximity of other specific features. In these cases, locations where all required features are nearby can be pre-computed.

Determine which locations are of sufficient size

Main article: How to compute the presence of a minimum amount of green

Generally, when considering the requirement of cool locations, some minimal surface area is defined before the location would qualify. By using an Average Overlay to define and use a search radius, and a Combo Overlay to compute whether a sufficient amount of surface area is found within that search radius.

Determine which locations have low enough temperature

Main article: Combo Overlay with masking

Finally, after computing which locations match all requirements and are of a sufficient size, each found location can be compared to a calculated temperature to determine whether it is also a cool enough location.

Notes

• Each of the linked instructions provide insight into how to assemble calculations for that particular part of the total case. They should be considered separate instructions. The intent of each can be adapted and the output of each can be used as input for the next step.
• The complete calculation model can also have its constituent steps in a different order, which will match the requirements in a slightly different way.
  • Testing for temperature on the constituent features first, and then testing for their proximity, is like testing whether there is, for example, a cool enough bench with a tree and a trash bin nearby. Testing for constituent features first, and then for temperature, is like testing whether there is a cool place with a bench, a tree, and a trash bin nearby, which needn't necessarily be cool themselves.
  • Testing for temperature before testing for sufficient surface area means all of the surface area must be cool enough. Testing for surface area before testing for temperature means there must be at least one cool enough spot in the total surface area.