Spatial Data Requirements for Metropolitan Spatial Planning in South Australia: Challenges for Evidence-informed Policy-making and Monitoring

ABSTRACT

Comprehensive spatial plans require a wide range of high quality spatial data, but planning requirements are not always considered in the increasing number of spatial data initiatives. This paper presents a framework for systematically analysing the availability and quality of spatial datasets in urban planning, and applies this to the example of the metropolitan strategy for Greater Adelaide, South Australia. The findings reveal significant gaps in important spatial data that are publicly available. This is especially concerning given the need to better understand integrated and multi-scalar planning policies such as for mixed use developments and polycentric urban structures.

KEYWORDS:

• Spatial data
• metropolitan spatial strategies
• evidence-based planning
• Greater Adelaide

Acknowledgements

The financial support for the research presented in this paper through the UniSA AHURI Research Centre is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Lidar (light detection and ranging) is a remote-sensing technique that uses laser light to capture surfaces of the earth or built structures, producing highly accurate x,y,z measurements.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of South Australia’s AHURI Research Centre.