POI VizNet: New QGIS Tool to construct Visibility Networks in Cities

Abstract

Network science and graph theory offer attractive models to describe urban phenomena and examine cases of urban planning and design. However, none of the existing network analysis tools consider simultaneously human visual perception and locations of urban activities. In this paper we introduce POI VizNet, a new QGIS plug-in that constructs various 2-dimentianal undirected graphs of unobstructed lines of sight. The plug-in integrates an increasing amount of available GIS-based data of Point Of Interest (POI) and visibility into one readily accessible analytical framework. Graphs are created between two types of decision points during urban travel – street intersections and POIs, origins, and destinations of travel, by connecting these potential observer’s decision locations in an open space between buildings. In addition, POI VizNet provides advanced options to build graphs using a predefined viewing distance and perceptual perspective. Visibility graphs are constructed and visualised as new layers in QGIS and delivered as network files suitable for further exploration, analysis, and visualisation in various network software packages.