Towards spatial integration of qualitative data for urban transformation – challenges with automated geovisualization of perception of urban places

Urban planning needs to face and integrate ecological, social, and economic aspects of city living. So far, attempts to integrate different urban simulation models into one technical platform have focused on quantitative data. The aim of this paper is to present the preparation for an automated method to spatially integrate and visualize interview-based qualitative data on the perception of urban places into a virtual platform. The Gothenburg suburb of Hammarkullen is used as a case study. Two CAQDAS software, NVivo and Atlas.ti, were tested. In both software, locations and urban qualities were coded and clustered. Visualization strategies such as information tree structures, geo-coded quotations, spatial word clouds, linked to 2D maps and 3D environments were developed. Results identify the challenges to overcome and show limitations of the software in terms of creating graphs and relationships as well as automated geocoding of data to maps. The project offers a step towards the integration of qualitative (social) data into digital environments that can be scaled up. By that, it contributes with a new dimension of analysis of urban environments which is necessary for sustainable transformation of cities.