The big data analysis challenge for landscape architecture

Abstract

Big data is growing in volume, variety, and velocity and is becoming more available and significant. Big data, if used as part of the design process by landscape architects, has the potential to broaden and inform site understanding. However, working with big data and analysing the diverse range of datasets is currently the main challenge. It is unclear whether the tools used in landscape architecture are sufficient to work with the volume, variety or velocity of big data. Through a descriptive critique and a matrix evaluation, a clearer understanding of the current tools used in data analysis approaches, are presented. Three data analysis approaches are applied to a case study site and reveals that there is a clear gap between analysing geospatial data and non-spatial data. The implications are that if landscape architecture is to take full advantage of working with big data, new data analysis tools need to be developed.