Site analysis

This section describes the tools and process used for site assessment and analysis. Our workflow involves collecting information and creating models of the site to understand the energy, information and material flows. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – are tools used to visualize, interpret, analyze, and model geographic information. This is a growing field being adopted across many disciplines and industries. GIS has a powerful application in the field of permaculture and landscape design since it can be used to analyze the spatial interconnections of different site elements and attributes.

Modern site analysis and design workflows utilize available data to create layers of information which reveal patterns that inform design. Often LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is used to create a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which can be used to produce various models that highlight important landscape characteristics.

These models allow a designer to remotely assess landscape potential for design features like earthworks, structures, roads, growing zones, and animal systems. While nothing beats a designer’s eye on the landscape, these tools are an invaluable resource to supplement during the assessment process.

The Workflow:

Once a site of interest is selected, a remote sensing survey is done to gather the available information and begin processing and modeling data in a GIS. The data is processed, and deliverables are provided to stakeholders which help facilitate further design discussion. Each GIS output provides unique information about different landscape patterns.

Map resolution and details are dependent on data and imagery available. These maps can be done remotely, and these services are offered globally. This is a very cost-effective way to perform a preliminary analysis of a site with intention to design regeneratively.

GIS can scale up to analyze entire watershed and determine how cities could be patterned into the natural landscape. It can help with large watershed management and riparian design. It can be used to analyze animal migratory patterns and natural corridors.

Chase studied GIS and geospatial analysis at the University of Arkansas in the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST) and has been doing regenerative design related GIS analysis for several years.