Map of King Edward Park in Nottingham, showing walking routes, soccer and cricket fields, skateboard and basketball areas, entrances, toilets, bins, and benches.

Nottingham Geospatial.

A quick case study into how GIS can benefit land management.

How can GIS help?

Mapping

GIS enables the creation of detailed maps that accurately represent park layouts, natural features, and infrastructure, facilitating effective planning and management. ​

Data Capture

Through GIS, park managers can collect and integrate various data types, such as visitor usage patterns, wildlife habitats, and vegetation health, supporting informed decision-making. ​

Risk Analysis

GIS allows for the assessment of flood risks by modeling various scenarios based on weather patterns, land use, and topography. This analysis aids in identifying high-risk areas and developing strategies to reduce vulnerability, such as implementing natural water retention measures or constructing protective barriers.​

Disaster Response

In the event of a flood, GIS plays a critical role by providing real-time data and spatial analysis. This enables emergency responders to identify affected areas, plan evacuation routes, and allocate resources efficiently, thereby minimising damage and ensuring public safety.​

Community Involvement

GIS platforms can engage the community by offering interactive maps and applications that allow residents to report issues, observe environmental changes, and participate in conservation efforts. This fosters a sense of ownership and awareness regarding flood risks and park preservation.​

Management tool

As a comprehensive management tool, GIS assists in asset inventory, maintenance scheduling, and resource allocation within parks. By analysing spatial data, managers can prioritise areas needing attention, optimise operations, and plan for future developments.​

Our Process

How We Work

  • We begin by getting to know you. Our team collaborates with your stakeholders to uncover your unique business challenges and geospatial needs.

  • We craft a customised GIS strategy, selecting the optimal open source tools that seamlessly integrate with your existing systems.

  • Our experts deploy your tailored solution with minimal disruption, ensuring smooth integration with your data sources and workflows.

  • We empower your team through hands-on training and ongoing support, helping you maximise the impact of your new geospatial solution.

Map of Southwell, Nottinghamshire showing building impacts with highlighted areas and waterways.

Flood Management in Southwell

In November 2000, Nottingham experienced significant flooding due to prolonged heavy rainfall, leading to the River Trent reaching its fifth-highest recorded level at 23.80 meters. ​

Causes of the Flooding:

  • Prolonged Rainfall: The autumn of 2000 saw above-average rainfall, saturating the ground and increasing runoff into the River Trent.​

  • Catchment Saturation: Continuous precipitation led to the soil's reduced capacity to absorb water, resulting in increased surface runoff.

3D city model with orange buildings on dark map

  • Resource Mapping: GIS technology can be utilised to create detailed maps indicating the locations of roadblock signage, cones, and storage facilities. This information is crucial for informing drivers about flooded roads and ensuring timely road closures and public notifications. ​

  • Community Engagement: Interactive GIS platforms can empower residents to report flooding incidents in real-time, fostering a collaborative approach to flood management. This method has proven effective in enhancing both awareness and responsiveness.​

  • Targeted Mitigation Efforts: By identifying specific flood-prone areas through GIS analysis, targeted mitigation strategies can be developed, engaging directly with affected residents to implement tailored solutions.

Abstract map with blue and green lines

Using GIS, we can strategise for safety, supporting communities in mitigating flood risks and improving disaster resilience. Organisations like FPS Environmental Ltd and The National Flood Forum play a crucial role in raising awareness and helping homeaowners make their properties more flood-resilient, and with GIS, we can provide data-driven insights to enhance flood prevention, optimise mitigation strategies, and support emergency response planning more effectively.

QGIS applied for flood emergency enables key descision makers to visualise:

✅ Heavy rainfall accumulation & runoff patterns
✅ Areas most susceptible to flooding
✅ Potential damage to homes & infrastructure
✅ Blocked & alternative evacuation routes

Interactive Mapping for King Edward Park

To demonstrate the potential of GIS in park management, we've developed an interactive map for King Edward Park. This prototype allows users to click on various features within the park, such as benches, trees, and pathways, to access associated data. While the current data is simulated for demonstration purposes, it showcases how real-time information can be integrated to enhance user experience and management efficiency.​

Click the Blue Button to switch layers

Here’s how this workflow can be applied:

1️⃣ Capturing Data in the Field

  • Instead of paper forms, park rangers, volunteers, and surveyors use mobile GIS apps (Mergin Maps, ArcGIS Field Maps, or ESRI Survey123) to collect live data on: ✅ Park assets (benches, bins, pathways)
    ✅ Biodiversity and tree surveys
    ✅ Infrastructure conditions
    ✅ Visitor traffic and community input

  • Example: A ranger can snap a photo of a broken park bench using Mergin Maps or ArcGIS Survey123, add notes, and sync it instantly to the web map.

2️⃣ Syncing Data with Web Maps

  • Data captured in the field automatically syncs to the cloud, updating GIS projects in real time.

  • This allows for an interactive, continuously updated map, improving park management and flood response strategies.

  • Example: If volunteers report a flooded pathway, the information is instantly reflected on the web map, allowing decision-makers to act faster.

3️⃣ Visualising & Managing Data on the Web Map

  • Data collected via Mergin Maps or ArcGIS Field Maps is directly visualised in a customised online map.

  • Users can click on points, lines, and polygons to retrieve live information on park assets, surveyed species, or infrastructure updates.

  • Example: A community member viewing the King Edward Park map can click on a tree survey marker and see details such as species, health condition, and survey date.

4️⃣ Supporting Decision-Making & Long-Term Planning

  • The combination of GIS-powered field data collection and web mapping allows for data-driven decision-making.

  • This enhances: ✅ Flood response – identifying risk areas & road closures
    ✅ Park maintenance – prioritising repairs & conservation efforts
    ✅ Community engagement – enabling interactive feedback & citizen science

How does it work?

Take your QGIS projects into the field - Record geospatial field data on your mobile device with ease. Collaborate with your team using instant sync with QGIS.

Contact us.