Studying the Earth is not an easy feat.
Spatial analysis, a common feature of geographic information systems (GIS), helps us that study the world around us to understand our environment and the impacts we make on it easier.
Spatial analyses are performed through GIS software which captures, analyzes, and displays spatial data to make a 2D or 3D map of different locations in relation to specific points.
What is spatial analysis?
Spatial analysis, or spatial statistics, determines the relationship between variables using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties. The process helps to extract new information about defined sets of coordinates to conduct routine examinations, assessments, evaluations, and analyses of different locations.
Spatial data are the geographic locations of various physical features on Earth, such as lakes, mountains, and rivers. This information is typically recorded in coordinates on a map.
The various types of geographic data are often placed on a digital map in layers, called GIS mapping. People conducting spatial analysis can study the map layer by layer to collect specific information. Computer processing helps users determine geographic suitability, predict patterns and understand climate change.
6 common types of spatial analysis
Depending on the context and application of the analysis being conducted, there are six types of spatial analysis to establish correlations between objects, events, and places via referring their locations to geographical positions.
- Spatial autocorrelation concerns statistics that measure and analyze the degree of dependency of two coordinates in a geographic location.
- Spatial interpolation estimates the variables at unobserved locations compared to values at observed locations.
- Spatial regression captures spatial dependency and aids statistical analysis by preventing problems like unstable parameters and unreliable tests.
- Spatial interaction studies people, material, or information flow between locations in a given geographic space.
- Multiple-point geostatistics analyzes the spatial statistics of a geological model and generates realizations of the input point statistics.
- Geocoding uses coordinates or describing a location and turning it into a specific location on the Earth's surface.
¿Quieres aprender más sobre Software GIS? Explora los productos de SIG.
Spatial analysis use cases
Since the process goes beyond mapping and makes it easy to solve location-oriented problems, spatial analysis allows for meaningful study between geographical places and the relationships formed within and outside of them.
From offering an understanding of the growth of cities to assigning risk scores in places of environmental disasters, various geospatial use cases benefit decision-making for stakeholders across different industries.
Urban planning
Urban planners develop procedures and programs for how the land can be used. They map communities, plan for growth, and build facilities and smart cities. Urban planners conduct spatial analyses to track environmental changes and account for how they might impact the community.
Environmental science and geographics
An environmental scientist’s responsibility is to assess the health of a geographic location. These individuals often work in the field conducting various tests on the land. Environmental scientists rely on spatial analysis to capture data to help them predict climate change and monitor energy management strategies.
Law enforcement
Law enforcement professionals utilize spatial analysis to track crime hot spots. Crime analysts utilize certain data from these analyses, such as census demographics, to better understand why crimes happen in certain areas. This data also helps agencies more effectively dispatch police officers during an emergency.
Public health
Public health workers are focused on improving the health of residents in their community. These individuals study food and water quality and track air pollution and disease prevention. Spatial analysis used in tandem with healthcare analysis helps them track environmental risks, such as a contaminated water source.
5 best GIS software for spatial analysis
GIS technology helps users understand patterns in geography and improve operations in specific locations. The software products sometimes include visualization capabilities, so users can see their data as a map before it’s published.
To be included as a software solution within this category, a product must:
- Edit, analyze, and store geographical data
- Include visualization capabilities
- Have GIS features to manipulate data from maps
* Below are the top 5 leading GIS software solutions from G2’s Winter 2023 Grid® Report. Some reviews may be edited for clarity.
1. Esri ArcGIS
Esri Arc GIS is a comprehensive suite of mapping and location intelligence tools. It provides a collection of data and content capabilities to geo-enrich business data to create unique mapping products.
What users like best:
“ArcGIS is a powerful software that can use to analyze locational-based data.ArcGIS comprises several features such as ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGIS Pro, ArcScene & ArcGlobe.The Arc Toolbox has various tools, including spatial analysis, spatial statistics, geocoding, data management, conversion, cartography tools, etc.
- Esri ArcGIS Review, Chanchala D
What users dislike:
“The software has issues while handling a lot of data and usually crashes (at least the version I use). So I prefer to do processing of big data volumes in other environments.
I would like to have more statistical methods introduced in ArcGis, I think they might be useful.”
- Esri ArcGIS Review, Alina R.
2. Google Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro is a computer program that renders 3D representations of Earth by mapping locations through satellite-superimposed images, aerial photography, and GIS data. It allows users to visualize cities and landscapes from different angles.
What users like best:
“Overall, Google Earth Pro is a great workhorse - it takes a significant amount of processing power though it's pretty extraordinary in terms of the quality of images produced, the ability to go back decades in time almost anywhere on the globe, change day/time for lighting conditions, measure distances, etc.
It's also amazing that it's free, which is huge for students, young working professionals, etc."
- Google Earth Pro Review, E.J R.
What users dislike:
“While most places have updated data, some areas have outdated images and slightly outdated information. This can be the issue of privacy or maybe information laws, but some data is somewhat irrelevant. This happens in small cities and needs improvement.”
- Google Earth Pro Review, Harshit S.
3. BatchGeo
BatchGeo makes creating maps using tabular data simple by optimizing geographic data in simple formats. The platform offers a variety of data visualization options ranging from color codes and groups to heat maps with easy sharing capabilities with password-protected maps.
What users like best:
“BatchGeo is incredibly easy to use! I enjoy how simple it is to import a spreadsheet of names and addresses and how quickly a map generates thereafter. It feels intuitive to use, and the speed at which maps are generated adds positively to my overall experience.”
- BatchGeo Review, Derrek S.
What users dislike:
“Some reporting features are lacking for analyzing the batch geo-coded addresses further. I would like to see this functionality expanded to take a deeper dive into understanding our information.”
- BatchGeo Review, Drew N.
4. Google Maps API
Google Maps API is a mapping platform that includes driving directions, Street View imagery, and others. It creates real-world experiences in real time with features from the Google Maps platform.
What users like best:
“Google map API is a clever bit of Google technology. With the help of this, you can set up Google Maps directly on our website. It's a great experience for visitors. Its programming languages are JavaScript, Ruby, Python, and Java. APIs, or application program interfaces, are essential for organizations in all businesses.
The significance of APIs from a specialized viewpoint is that they permit the capacities of one PC program to be utilized by another. They are a method by which two distinct projects can impart.”
- Google Maps API Review, Faisal M.
What users dislike:
The biggest thing I think google should work on is its SnapToRoad feature in the API. Google Maps API does not accurately plot snap-to-road data when we give it the Latitude and Longitude strings in the request object. It makes unwanted U-turns, circling due to which plotting is inaccurate.
Google Maps API does not work great if the accuracy of the lat longs is above 100. Here maps API does better by eliminating such co-ordinates"
- Google Maps API Review, Chirag P.
5. ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online is a scalable and secure SaaS software solution hosted by Esri. It uses interactive maps to connect people, locations, and data. The solution enables quick map creation using Smart Mapping styles to enhance data visuals.
What users like best:
“It is simple to use and has great templates. Integrates well with the desktop version of ArcGIS. Love that clients can easily interact with dashboards and see their information.”
- ArcGIS Online Review, Kyle Y.
What users dislike:
“ArcGIS Online isn't as powerful as ArcGIS Pro. It's also not great at quickly updating its layers. For example: if I import data and run an analysis on it but want to change one entry, I need to delete the layer, make the change in Excel, import the new data, and rerun the analysis. I also don't like how I can't change the style of preset Living Atlas layers.”
- ArcGIS Online Review, User in Healthcare
No more Where's Waldo
Spatial analysis is critical to creating and explaining geographical models for location-specific problems. Since the process uses computer processing, it simplifies exploring and examining results to study the impact on places and communities.
Want to know more about how assets are viewed and tracked in the business context? Learn more about global positioning system (GPS) tracking - an essential organizational activity to maintain seamless supply chain management.
This article was originally published in 2019. It has been updated with new information.
Brynne Ramella
Brynne is the Buyer Inquiry Team Lead at G2 Crowd. In addition to writing, she leads the research specialists in providing personalized software and services recommendations to buyers. She wishes she had interesting hobbies to include in this bio.
