Small-Scale Settlement Analyses for Visualizing Change. Potentials of Using Small-Scale Built Environment Data

In Germany, a rising relevance of adapting the built environment and a rising relevance of GIS-based analyses of the built environment can be observed. But there seems to be a communication or knowledge lack between planners and providers of built environment data. For this reason, this article investigates potentials for using small-scale built environment data and the additional value of it by conducting a literature review. The focus is on literature concerning settlement development, innercity development and transformation processes of housing. The literature suggests that built environment data opens up effective ways to analyse patterns and transformation of settlement structures as well as population patterns and transformation related to specific housing types. This information can be used for strategic planning, housing policies and evaluation of planning targets. It is also useful for a computer assisted management of cities. As the official data is insufficient and other data sources limited in access, requirements for built environment data are formulated. In conclusion, this article argues for using small-scale built environment data as an essential part of communal monitoring systems and geo data infrastructure.