This document describes a study that mapped and classified economic activities in two areas near Brussels, Belgium. Field work was conducted over 8 days to identify 17.2 square kilometers of activities. Over 400 activities were documented and categorized into 27 classes like manufacturing, retail, services, etc. The data was then processed in GIS software to create maps and a database of the locations and types of economic activities in the study areas. This information provides insight into the economic landscape that can inform future planning and development projects in the region.
Cass Cities - RuimteVlaanderen presentatie gecoro Machelen/Vilvoordejan zaman
Presentatie en overzicht van het studenten werk dat in vijf workshops met Cass Cities en Mark Brealey werd gedaan op de Brusselse Noordrand in het kader van het territoriaal ontwikkelingsprogramma Noordrand
Cass Cities - RuimteVlaanderen Autumn 2015 workshopjan zaman
,
cass cities
,
ruimte vlaanderen
,
top noordrand
,
brussel stedelijke ontwikkeling
,
vilvoorde
,
machelen
,
gewestelijk expressnet brussel
Final presentation of the 5th Cass Cities / RuimteVlaanderen Student Workshop. Aim was to define a good future for the area around the new BUDA train station in Vilvoorde and Machelen. This workshop is part of the Brussels Metropolitan northern area Territorial Development Program.
,
rer bruxelles
,
station kerklaan
Informal notes from Urban Planning 3_13-14 (1).pdfkayfiakrmmawlan
This document compiles in an
informal manner, some of the
theoretical teaching content
considered for the Urban
Planning 3, course 2013- 2014.
It also includes the outline and
hand-in instructions of the two
practical exercises developed
during the course.
The purpose of this
compilation of teaching notes
is to serve as reference and
basis for future courses taught
in English, as this was the
first experience for the subject
Urban Planning 3.EXERCISE 1:
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF A RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
(ECO-NEIGHBOURHOOD)
1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Urban Planning 3 course is to have a first approach to the city planning
and construction.
The first half of the academic year (Urban Planning 2) the student was able to:
• Study the city from the public space perspective.
• Identify what the fundamental criteria are that public spaces should have in order to
promote sociability and public life.
• Recognise how existing urban spaces are perceived by the citizens and what physical
characteristics contribute to their success.
• Analyse and develop an unsuccessful public space transformation proposal, applying
the theoretical and practical strategies learned throughout the course and recognise its
relation to other spaces and functions of the existing city.The objective of Urban Planning 3 is to work on new (barely built) territory areas, where
an integrated residential sector will be developed. The aim of this exercise is to achieve
urban settings (eco-neighbourhoods) where Environmental Sustainability Indicators are
implemented in order to guarantee a sustainable city growth.
Two areas of the city of Cartagena have been selected:
• The West area (composed by Zones 1, 2 and 3) is bordered by the consolidated city on
the Northeast side, and by peripheral small residential urban centres on the Southeast
side.
• The East area (composed by Zones 4, 5 and 6) is bordered by agricultural plots —farmlands—
and an industrial complex on the North side, by the A-30 motorway on the
East side, and by the consolidated city on the Southwest side. The A-30 motorway is the
main access road to Cartagena.
These areas integrate aspects in both environmental and building processes, taking into
account:
• Land-parcelling
• Landscape
• Vegetation
• Existing road networks
• Existing building developments: residential, urban facilities and infrastructure…All the above elements are crucial in considering new urban developments based on
sustainability and efficiency criteria.
The proposals must consider the site’s existing characteristics, the urban border treatment,
the public spaces configuration, the construction of private environments, the
spatial and functional relation to the rest of the city and, most importantly guarantee
Cartagena’s sustainable growth.
2. GENERAL APPROACH
• Apply the Environmental Sustainability Indicators addressed during the course.
• Develop open public spaces network integrated through green belts, allowing for smaller
spaces to stay, plazas and
Cass Cities - RuimteVlaanderen presentatie gecoro Machelen/Vilvoordejan zaman
Presentatie en overzicht van het studenten werk dat in vijf workshops met Cass Cities en Mark Brealey werd gedaan op de Brusselse Noordrand in het kader van het territoriaal ontwikkelingsprogramma Noordrand
Cass Cities - RuimteVlaanderen Autumn 2015 workshopjan zaman
,
cass cities
,
ruimte vlaanderen
,
top noordrand
,
brussel stedelijke ontwikkeling
,
vilvoorde
,
machelen
,
gewestelijk expressnet brussel
Final presentation of the 5th Cass Cities / RuimteVlaanderen Student Workshop. Aim was to define a good future for the area around the new BUDA train station in Vilvoorde and Machelen. This workshop is part of the Brussels Metropolitan northern area Territorial Development Program.
,
rer bruxelles
,
station kerklaan
Informal notes from Urban Planning 3_13-14 (1).pdfkayfiakrmmawlan
This document compiles in an
informal manner, some of the
theoretical teaching content
considered for the Urban
Planning 3, course 2013- 2014.
It also includes the outline and
hand-in instructions of the two
practical exercises developed
during the course.
The purpose of this
compilation of teaching notes
is to serve as reference and
basis for future courses taught
in English, as this was the
first experience for the subject
Urban Planning 3.EXERCISE 1:
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF A RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
(ECO-NEIGHBOURHOOD)
1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Urban Planning 3 course is to have a first approach to the city planning
and construction.
The first half of the academic year (Urban Planning 2) the student was able to:
• Study the city from the public space perspective.
• Identify what the fundamental criteria are that public spaces should have in order to
promote sociability and public life.
• Recognise how existing urban spaces are perceived by the citizens and what physical
characteristics contribute to their success.
• Analyse and develop an unsuccessful public space transformation proposal, applying
the theoretical and practical strategies learned throughout the course and recognise its
relation to other spaces and functions of the existing city.The objective of Urban Planning 3 is to work on new (barely built) territory areas, where
an integrated residential sector will be developed. The aim of this exercise is to achieve
urban settings (eco-neighbourhoods) where Environmental Sustainability Indicators are
implemented in order to guarantee a sustainable city growth.
Two areas of the city of Cartagena have been selected:
• The West area (composed by Zones 1, 2 and 3) is bordered by the consolidated city on
the Northeast side, and by peripheral small residential urban centres on the Southeast
side.
• The East area (composed by Zones 4, 5 and 6) is bordered by agricultural plots —farmlands—
and an industrial complex on the North side, by the A-30 motorway on the
East side, and by the consolidated city on the Southwest side. The A-30 motorway is the
main access road to Cartagena.
These areas integrate aspects in both environmental and building processes, taking into
account:
• Land-parcelling
• Landscape
• Vegetation
• Existing road networks
• Existing building developments: residential, urban facilities and infrastructure…All the above elements are crucial in considering new urban developments based on
sustainability and efficiency criteria.
The proposals must consider the site’s existing characteristics, the urban border treatment,
the public spaces configuration, the construction of private environments, the
spatial and functional relation to the rest of the city and, most importantly guarantee
Cartagena’s sustainable growth.
2. GENERAL APPROACH
• Apply the Environmental Sustainability Indicators addressed during the course.
• Develop open public spaces network integrated through green belts, allowing for smaller
spaces to stay, plazas and
Contemporary Trends for the Development of the Production ZonesIJERA Editor
The basic concept for the construction of such zones is to create conditions for concentration the existing
procedures in one place and contribute to discovering, developing and creating the new ones. Contributions are
very heterogeneous, starting from planning and development of common infrastructure to creation of the new
jobs. Except this, industrial zones promote modern entrepreneurship, which is based in a modern structure and
has the opportunity for permanent development and introduction of advanced technologies. The trend of
increasing number of international companies working on Macedonian market, as well as the positive
development of Macedonian businesses companies, will contribute to increase investments in industrial
property.
Life in Buda - Brussels Metropolitan northern areajan zaman
Life in Buda is an interactive site survey on the Industrial area in Brussels Metropolitan Northern area, on the border of Brussels, Vilvoorde and Machelen. All buildings were photographed, a number of short interviews conducted by Elena Borghese and Cigdem Hacioglu. Ruimte Vlaanderen - the spatial development department Flanders - commissioned this research as part of the territorial development program 'noordrand'
This is the paper that was presented during the NESS Conference in 2011 in Stockholm Sweden by Daniela Patti.
For further information please contact d.patti@cetit.at
Urban Renewal in Lyon Confluence How to transform an unused industrial area to the new eco-quarter? Zoltán Gábor Virányi VIA University College 2010 November
The graphical representation of the demand schedule is the demand curve. The quantity and price are inversely related; that is, Q goes up when P goes down. The curve slopes downward, going from northwest to southeast. This important property is called the law of downward-sloping demand.
Metrex digital meeting: From roads to streets. With EUROCITIES Urban Regeneration on the City Fringe & URBACT RiConnect, January 19, 2021.
Presentation by Paul Lecroart, Senior Urbanist
Implementation of the European internal market and East-West integration has been accompanied by dramatic change in the spatial distribution of economic activity, with higher growth west and east of a longitude degree through Germany and Italy. In the east, income growth has been accompanied by increasing regional disparities within countries. We examine theoretically and empirically whether European integration as such can explain these developments. Using a numerical simulation model with 9 countries and 90 regions, theoretical predictions are derived about how various patterns of integration may affect the income distribution. Comparing with reality, we find that a reduction in distance-related trade costs combined with east-west integration is best able to explain the actual changes in Europe's economic geography. This suggests that the implementation of the European internal market or the Euro has "made Europe smaller". In Central Europe, capital regions grow faster and there are few east-west growth differences inside countries. There is no convincing support for the hypothesis that European integration had adverse effects on non-members.
Authored by: Arne Melchior
Published in 2009
Planning development of the city of Berlin with a specific focus on the urban regeneration policies and actions promoted by the City of Berlin and its main transformation in the last 30 years.
Contemporary Trends for the Development of the Production ZonesIJERA Editor
The basic concept for the construction of such zones is to create conditions for concentration the existing
procedures in one place and contribute to discovering, developing and creating the new ones. Contributions are
very heterogeneous, starting from planning and development of common infrastructure to creation of the new
jobs. Except this, industrial zones promote modern entrepreneurship, which is based in a modern structure and
has the opportunity for permanent development and introduction of advanced technologies. The trend of
increasing number of international companies working on Macedonian market, as well as the positive
development of Macedonian businesses companies, will contribute to increase investments in industrial
property.
Life in Buda - Brussels Metropolitan northern areajan zaman
Life in Buda is an interactive site survey on the Industrial area in Brussels Metropolitan Northern area, on the border of Brussels, Vilvoorde and Machelen. All buildings were photographed, a number of short interviews conducted by Elena Borghese and Cigdem Hacioglu. Ruimte Vlaanderen - the spatial development department Flanders - commissioned this research as part of the territorial development program 'noordrand'
This is the paper that was presented during the NESS Conference in 2011 in Stockholm Sweden by Daniela Patti.
For further information please contact d.patti@cetit.at
Urban Renewal in Lyon Confluence How to transform an unused industrial area to the new eco-quarter? Zoltán Gábor Virányi VIA University College 2010 November
The graphical representation of the demand schedule is the demand curve. The quantity and price are inversely related; that is, Q goes up when P goes down. The curve slopes downward, going from northwest to southeast. This important property is called the law of downward-sloping demand.
Metrex digital meeting: From roads to streets. With EUROCITIES Urban Regeneration on the City Fringe & URBACT RiConnect, January 19, 2021.
Presentation by Paul Lecroart, Senior Urbanist
Implementation of the European internal market and East-West integration has been accompanied by dramatic change in the spatial distribution of economic activity, with higher growth west and east of a longitude degree through Germany and Italy. In the east, income growth has been accompanied by increasing regional disparities within countries. We examine theoretically and empirically whether European integration as such can explain these developments. Using a numerical simulation model with 9 countries and 90 regions, theoretical predictions are derived about how various patterns of integration may affect the income distribution. Comparing with reality, we find that a reduction in distance-related trade costs combined with east-west integration is best able to explain the actual changes in Europe's economic geography. This suggests that the implementation of the European internal market or the Euro has "made Europe smaller". In Central Europe, capital regions grow faster and there are few east-west growth differences inside countries. There is no convincing support for the hypothesis that European integration had adverse effects on non-members.
Authored by: Arne Melchior
Published in 2009
Planning development of the city of Berlin with a specific focus on the urban regeneration policies and actions promoted by the City of Berlin and its main transformation in the last 30 years.
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
Many ways to support street children.pptxSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
Understanding the Challenges of Street ChildrenSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
What is the point of small housing associations.pptxPaul Smith
Given the small scale of housing associations and their relative high cost per home what is the point of them and how do we justify their continued existance
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
2. Made by:
Federico Giaretta - Erasmus Plus programme exchange student
giaretta.federico@gmail.com
Jan Zaman, Spatial Development Department Flanders (rev 1)
May / August, 2016
revision 1, October 2016
3. 1
INTRODUCTION
During the internship at Ruimte Vlaanderen, my work was based on the will to get a better and new kind of
knowledge about the economic activities dislocation and differentiation in Brussels metropolitan northern
area. The new data and information’s presented in this work can be considered as a useful base for the next
steps of T.OP Noordrand project. The work, conceived as a pilot project, which could be extended and repeat-
ed in other areas, is based on an empirical research, done by a visual check of what is identifiable as economic
or designed for an economic use directly on the site, aimed to identify, locate and classify all the different
types of existing economic activities in the selected areas. Nowadays, Brussels city is growing and requires
more and more space, using often the periphery as expansion area. This constantly growing process tend to
push and move out of the city the industrial and medium / large economic activities, which are perceived to
be unsightly for an urban environment. Economic sector play an important role within cities and their suburbs
areas, for that reason an analysis that identifies the different types of activities and their location is funda-
mental in the early phase of a project like the T.OP Noordrand one, to give at all the stakeholders a better and
more complete area view.
The document, after this small introduction is structured as follow:
1) Case study areas overview
2) Field work explanation
3) Economic activities categorization
4) GIS data processing and digitalization
5) Findings
6) Conclusions
4. 2
1 - CASE STUDY AREAS
The project has identified two different case study areas, located on the border between the Brussels Capital
and Flanders regions in the north and north/east city area , and also part of T.OP Noordrand project.
The first case study area follow the track of Leuvensesteenweg road, between Meiser in Brussels and the
village of Nossegem, a portion of Zaventem municipality in the Flanders territory for a total of 8.5 Km. Muni-
cipalities contained in this area are four, three of them are part of Brussels Capital Region ( Evere, Schaerbeek
and Sint-Lambrecht-Woluwe) whereas the last one, Zaventem, is part of Flanders Region. This area, marked
on the south by the A3/E40 highway and on the north side by the Brussels Cemetery for the first part, and by
both agricultural fields and Brussels / Louvain railway was develop during the years under different economic
and political forces, without a strategic overview for the whole area. This has led to the creation of areas with
different uses, that are nowadays next to each other with obvious differences in needs for services, number
and type of connections with the City and internal dynamics.
1
2
Pic 1.1 - Case study areas overview
Pic 1.2 - Leuvensesteenweg area
5. 3
The second case study area is part of three different municipalities, and as the first one is located on the
border between Brussels capital and Flanders regions. The three municipalities in which the area is included
are: City of Brussels, Vilvoorde and Machelen. The zone is marked by the Vilvoorde city center on the north,
Machelen and R22 street on east side, the Brussels / Antwerp railway on the south and the Willebroekse ca-
nal for most of the west side. In the last decades the area has been used mainly by industrial activities, like car
and other types of manufacturing. Thanks to the industrial decline some of these activities have been closed
or have moved elsewhere, bequeathing spaces that today are empty or used by other activities. Today those
spaces represent an opportunity, not only for the area itself but also for the nearby municipalities, and for
that reason it has been analyzed in this project. The zone is also characterized by a remarkable infrastructure
presence, like the RO. highway viaduct and the two railways lines, whom affect dynamics and movements.
Pic 1.3 - Machelen / Vilvoorde area
6. 4
2 - FIELD WORK
This project was based on a first phase of field work. That has led to the creation of a map / list of all eco-
nomic activities in the area, based on what was recognizable and identifiable during the survey. This stage
has required 8 days to cover the 17.2 sq. Km extension of case study areas, the means of transportation used
was a bike. For this kind of activities a bike is preferred , thanks to his versatility it’s possible to cover an huge
amount of area in a short time and, moreover, all kind of tracks (road, off road and street) are easily accessi-
ble.
Identification process has been carried out using a base map, on which all the visible economic activities have
been marked. The base map used is based on the Topovector map, that show all the infrastructures (rails and
roads), green areas, waterways and buildings. Whereas the available version was not the most recent and
updated one, and observed the lack of the single parcels borders, the cadastral map has been added on the
Topovector map. Thanks to this a more detailed and complete map was created, in which all buildings and
their relative parcels were easily recognizable.
In addition of the base map, a table has been used to take all the required information about every single eco-
nomic activity. Useful information detected were: Activity name, Activity description (if available), and a first
attempt of classification referred to the economic activities classes defined and showed in the next chapter.
Pic 2.1 - Field work material
7. 5
As shown and explained previously, the survey was based on a new and clear map without any kind of infor-
mation about existing economic activities in the area, to pursue the will of considering and measuring only
what is really visible. Nevertheless, a survey attempt starting from an existing inventory has been done, to
compare the achievable results and to understand which of the two methods appears to be more quick and
exhaustive. The existing inventory used is the one referred to Buda, an industrial area part of the second case
study area mentioned before. This inventory, made by Elena Borghese and Çiğdem Hacıoğlu and showed in
“Life in Buda” book localize and describe the area buildings use, based on a field work and combined with a
desktop research to obtain more information about every single activity. The procedure was performed as
follows, starting from the “Life in Buda” map an activities list, a field work focus on economic activities dou-
ble-checking and updating (if required) was done.
Obtained results and impressions allow to say that double-checking and updating an existing database requi-
re more time on the field, especially if different information are included in the original database, rather than
creating a new one.
Pic 2.2 - Buda activities list doublecheking
8. 6
3- ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES CLASSIFICATIONS
In this chapter an explanation about the final economic activities classifications that is used in this work is
given. The aim was to define some classes able to contain all the different types of activities, gathering them
according to the activity type or the operating field.
The categorization is based on the one presented by the CASS University of London students. Thanks to the
24 defined classes, this give a more detailed view, especially for the aforementioned categories for which the
content was not clear and subject of misunderstanding. The previous two retails categories are now split in
five different ones (Retail and Wholesale in the new classification). The same holds true for Tertiary and Ad-
vanced Tertiary Sector and for the old Manufacturing category, now presented into three sub-categories. It’s
important to point out that some categories, like for instance “Restaurants, Cafés & Takeaways” , “Hotels and
B&B” , “Construction”, “Unknown” and “Vacant” remained unchanged both in the definition and contents.
Manufacture: Agriculture (MAG): Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants and fungi for food, fiber,
biofuel, medicinal plants and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. Here are considered
only the farms buildings and their relative areas.
Manufacture: Metals & Machinery (MMM) : This category include all the activities aimed to assemble, con-
struct, create every kind of tools and machinery or parts of it. Activities related to the treatment and process
of metals materials and their surfaces are included.
Manufacture: Food, Beverages & Catering (MFC) : Companies involved in food and beverage goods produc-
tion are considered. Part of this category are also all the activities responsible for the production of hot meals
for hospitals, kindergartens and schools. In addition of this, catering companies are included.
Manufacture: Other (MO) : This category include all others types of manufacturing activities that are in the
area. Some examples are manufactures of chemical products, coating, textiles, rubber products, paints, pack-
aging, glues.
Printing & Publishing (MPP) : Activities involved in producing printed material by means of inked type and a
printing press or by similar means, plus business of producing books, newspapers, etc., by impression from
movable types, plates, etc and all photocopying shops defines this category.
Utilities (U) : Organizations and companies that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also
providing a service using that infrastructure). The set of services provided by these organizations consumed
by the public is: electricity, natural gas, water, sewage and garbage.
Vehicle Sale & Repair (V) : As mentioned in the previous classification, vehicle sale e repair include all the
activities related to vehicle local distribution and businesses that sells new or used vehicles at all levels. Re-
pairing activities like garages, bodywork and tire repairers are considered.
Construction (CO) : The construction category includes all the activities that provide materials, equipment
and machines for the construction sector (buildings, infrastructures and more). Construction companies are
included.
Wholesale: Food & Beverage (WF) : Resale (sale without transformation) trade or distribution of food and
beverage goods to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional or professional users, or to other whole-
salers, or companies. Food and beverage import and export companies are included
Wholesale: Other (WO) : Resale (sale without transformation), trade or provide of goods to retailers, to in-
dustrial, commercial, institutional or professional users, or to other wholesalers, or companies. Examples of
goods considered are: house furniture, beauty products, electronic parts and materials, toys, audio and video
components etc. .
Transport & Storage (WTS) : This category include all logistics companies and services, define as the man-
agement of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet
requirements of customers or corporations. Warehouse, storage and self-storage activities are included.
9. 7
Servicies: Education (SE) : Preschools or kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and any other
kind of Educational service are considered in this category.
Servicies: Healt Care (SHC) : As explained before health care services category include all the activities based
on the prevention or treatment of illness, delivered by health professionals (providers or practitioners). Medi-
cal clinics and labs providing analysis are also part of this category. Animals health care activities are included.
Servicies: Public (SPU) : Public offices of every level of government, from the municipal to the state one. Eu-
ropean Union (EU) offices, buildings and spaces used for public and social activities or meetings are included.
Are also considered Police and Fire fighters stations.
Servicies: Professional (SPR) : This category, similar to the Advanced Tertiary one, include companies pro-
viding information services, such as computing, ICT, consultancy (offering advice to businesses, real estate
agencies, insurances and financial companies), R&D (research, particularly in scientific fields), banks. Admin-
istrative offices of companies, professional, scientific and technical activities are included
Servicies: Other (SO) : Companies that provides technical maintenance services, personals beauty services
as hairdressers or barbers and beauty centers, or other activities like Laundries, cleaning companies, gas sta-
tions, driving schools, car wash or parking etc. are considered.
Retail: Food (RF) : Food retail is referred at all the activities involved in food selling at every level, starting from
Supermarkets up until groceries, bakeries, convenience stores and butcheries.
Retail: Construction (RC) : This category take in activities related to finishing up, restoration, maintenance
and renew of houses carried out by people and sometimes by companies. Some example are: Brico, furniture
and bathroom furniture, flooring retail, windows and doors or stairs dealers, etc. .
Retail: Other (RO) : All others kinds of retail not included in the two previous categories are part of this one.
Shops selling goods like clothes and shoes, phones, laptop and electronic devices, hair and beauty products,
jeweler, glasses, toys, bikes etc. are considered.
Restaurants, Cafés & Takeaways (RB) : All food eating relate activities are considered, such as: Bars, Restau-
rants, Pizzerias, Snack bars, Fast-foods and Ethnic restaurants.
Hotels, B&B (RH) : All the activities that provides lodging and usually meals, entertainment, and various per-
sonal services for paying guests.
Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sports (ACS) : Sports centers, swimming pools, event halls, casinos, gyms and mu-
seums are parts of this category.
Faith (F) : This category include worship places that are not traditional churches, like Protestantism, Jehovah
sites and Mosques located into buildings able to be used by companies or economic activities.
Unknown (U) : Buildings or parts of them for whom the current or former use is not recognizable from an
outside view.
Vacant (E) : Vacant buildings, unused or abandoned.
Pic 3.1 - classification sample and legend
10. 8
4 - GIS DATA PROCESSING AND DIGITALIZATION
The choice of a GIS software (Arcmap 10) use, came from the aimof creating a map relate to a database able
to contain all the information collected during the field work phase and not just a colored map made while
using illustrator. In addition of this, a GIS database allow to modify and update data and the way in which
those are presented every time the user request it. It is therefore a more versatile and adaptable methodol-
ogy.In the next pages, from a technical point of view, the process that led to create the database and final
maps about economic activities localization and classification in the study areas is presented and explained.
Area definition
First of all the working area was define and represented. Starting from the orthophoto view , and starting an
Editing session (Editor > Start editing) , using a red line as template, the border was digitalize and afterwards
exported and added as a new shapefile in the working space.
Pic 4.1 & 4.2 - Area drawing phases
11. 9
The same was done for the white mask that cover the area not considered by this work. Starting an editing
session (Editor > Start editing) on the Area shapefile just created, and using the function “Autocomplete poly-
gon” a polygon that contain the previous area was created. Once selected and exported as a new shapefile
(called Mask), the new polygon has been removed from the original area shape file to keep it clear. Adding
“Mask” shapefile below “Area” one allow to represent the case study area as shown in the pic 4.4.
Pic 4.3 - Auto complete polygon
Pic 4.4 - Area covered with mask
12. 10
Cadastral maps
Once the area was defined, the next step has involved the cadastral maps. Plural is used because there are
four different cadastral shape files, two for Brussels capital region area and two for Flanders area. For each
one of those two area both the buildings and parcels shapesfile were used. Starting from the whole regions
cadastral maps a clip was made, in order to obtain only the parcels and buildings contained in areas. The clip
features used, as picture shows, is the “Area” shapefile created previously. The shapefiles obtained from the
clip procedure were use as base for the following digitalizing phases.
Pic 4.5 - Cadastral clip process
Pic 4.6 - Cadastral clip result
13. 11
Digitalizing phase
This project phase allowed to input the data about economic activities obtained during the field work phase
into GIS, following the purpose of mapping and classify them. At the beginning, two different attempts were
made, in order to establish the fastest and better way to do that.
The first one were done only for the Brussels area while exporting the cadastral shapefile attribute tables
into Microsoft Excel, in order to add all the required new fields and typing the informations directly using this
software. Once opened in Excel, the table was cleaned of some field that were not required. The ID field was
used as reference for the next Join (used to import the modify table from Excel to GIS), and other 5 new fields
were added. As shown in the pic 4.7, SurveyID, Name, Type, Category and Date field were added to describe
and classify all the activities.
This phase required some time to get done, due to the amount of activities and the lack of practicality. To
know the ID of each building, a selection of it in GIS using “Identify” function were required before writing all
the attributes in Excel on the correct line.
Pic 4.7 - Modified Excel table
Pic 4.8 - Identifing building features
14. 12
Moreover, some building in the cadastral map were not drawn or split so for that reason an editing session
were required to modify and update the cadastral maps. Thanks to this was possible to assign an ID also to
the new buildings.
Once the table was complete, using Join function, an import to GIS were made. The table to import has to be
saved as a .dbf file, that is possible to obtain while using Openoffice. The used matching fields were: FID for
the cadastral map attribute table, and ID for the Excel files. Those two field represent the same buildings or
parcels. Thanks to this a shapefile called “Cadastre_Bru_Buildings” containing the economic activities fields
and information was created.
This methodology showed some weakness point that make it not efficient at all, such as:
• Working at the same time on two different software increase the possibility to made errors or mis-
takes,
• Switching from one software to the other required more time than working just on one,
• Every time that the cadastral map has to be modified in GIS ( while adding new building or modifying
existing ones) also the Excel attribute table need to be update. This step, related to the previous point
can be avoid while working directly in GIS on an Editing session.
Representing data after the Join was fingered out in a few steps. Starting from “Cadastre_Bru_Buildings”
shapefile properties , while selecting > “Symbology” window > Show: categories > Value field: Cass_cat (or
Cat, depending by the classification required) > Add All Values and clicking “Ok” all the defined categories
were shown. Afterwards an editing in every single category “Symbol” and “Label” fields was done to obtain
the required color scale and legend. “All other values” has been unchecked from the list, due to obtain a map
able to show only buildings and parcels with an economic use.
Pic 4.9 - Join Excel table in GIS
15. 13
The second attempt, that has been used for the entire project, was made using only GIS. Starting from Cadas-
tral shapefile (Buildings and Parcels) the new fields: Name, Activity Type, Categories, Cass Categories (Second
classification) and Date were added while using “Add Field” function in the attribute tables.
With the modified attribute table ready an “Editing sessions” has been started. That allow to type the data
about economic activities, obtained during the field work, directly in GIS while selecting the buildings and
related parcels.
Pic 4.10 - Values Classification
Pic 4.11 - Attribute table editing
16. 14
Thanks to this drawing or modifying buildings and parcels was also possible, with an immediate update of
attribute tables. Drawing new building or parcels has been done using the “Construction Tools” as showed in
pic 4.13.
Pic 4.12 - Data input
Pic 4.13 - New building area before drawing
17. 15
Modifying existing buildings or parcels has been made using “Cut Polygons Tools” and “Edit Verticies” as
showed in 4.15. This process, repeated for every single building and parcel allowed to avoid the Excel phase
while working directly on GIS.
Pic 4.14 - New building after drawing
Pic 4.15 - Editing functions
18. 16
Representing data after the “Editing session” has been done in few steps, similar as the ones mentioned be-
fore. Starting from “Cadastre_Bru_Buildings” (or any other Cadastral shapefile) shapefile properties , while
selecting > “Symbology” window > Show: categories > Value field: Cass_cat (or Cat, depending by the clas-
sification required) > Add All Values and clicking “Ok” all the defined categories were shown. Afterwards an
editing in every single category “Symbol” and “Label” fields was done to obtain the required color scale and
legend. “All other values” has been unchecked from the list, in order to obtain a map able to show just build-
ings and parcels with an economic use.
The economic activities (buildings and parcels ) shapefiles were exported as layer files in order to keep the
symbology and all related features also while opening this file into another ArcMap job. A layer file (.lyr) is a
file that stores the path to a source dataset and other layer properties, including symbology.
Pic 4.16 - Values new classification
Pic 4.17 - Layer export
19. 17
The procedure explained so far in this chapter represent the making process of a basic database needed to
give an overview about the economic activities presence and classification in a case study area. This database
can be used as a base onto add other information, in order to obtain a more detailed one. One of the main
purpose can be to include updates in order to keep into the database a sort of history about the site.
As opposed to the procedure previously presented, when the majority of the work has been done while
working directly in GIS, at this point an attribute table exported to Excel allow to work and add different in-
formation using directly this software. Hyperlinks related to building pictures, interviews, websites, or new
fields about companies or activities changes, addresses, telephone numbers and so on can be easily added to
starting database. For instance Buda attribute table, showed in pic. 2.2, represent an example of the diferent-
data that can be added. After the Excel phase, while using the ArcMap “Relate” function is possible to input
the modified table into GIS in order to update the shapefiles and related attribute tables.
Layout
The final step has involved the creation of a printable layout to represent the maps previously created. The
selected sheets formats were: an A0 for the second case study area and a modified A0 (84.1 cm x 225 cm) for
Leuvensesteenweg area due to his bigger exstension. The selected scale was 1:4000 for both the areas. As
showed in pic 4.17 a North arrow, a Scale bar and a Legend were added.
In addition of this a new data frame, called “Inquadramento” , visible into the blue circle, has been added to
the map (Insert > New data frame). That has been done to give an overview about the areas location respect
Brussels Capital and Flanders Regions. This data frame contain Brussels (area and border) shapefile plus the
first chain of Municipalities (around Brussels) areas and borders in another shape.
Pic 4.18 - Final layout
20. 18
5 - FINDINGS
The presented work allowed to denote some interesting discussion points that emerged from the process and
results analysis. Final results give a complete overview about the economic activities classification and local-
isation into the case study areas, both at great and small scale. The term “Economic activity”, as explained in
the previous characters, referred to all spaces and buildings used or planned for an economic use. The clas-
sification made has considered visible companies and their related activities. In addition of this, is important
to point out that companies and activities were considered and classified starting from how physically they
represent themselves. Some example of the mentioned classification process are:
• “Makro” in Machelen, a famous wholesale activity present himself as a retail activity, similar to “Gam-
ma” (classified as a construction retail activity) located just on the other side of the same street. For
that reason it has been classified as retail.
• Sport field and leisure activities were considered as economic only if they present themselves as an
activity able to make an income while renting their spaces or providing a customer Restaurant / Bar
service. Municipal football fields (like non-league or Sunday league ones) were not marked as eco-
nomic.
• Buildings ground floors, designed to host economic activities that are nowadays used for residential
uses, and so not anymore suitable for an economic use were not considered during the process.
In some cases due to close facades or low accessibility, was difficult obtain visual information about activity
location and typologies. Understanding deptht has been possible only using software like Google maps, street
view or earth but even using those ins truments, in very a few cases (like in Paduwa or in Buda), same un-
certainty remained. To avoid that uncertain, some interviews or surveys into those buildings are going to be
required in the future.
This work cannot be considered as an arrival point, on the contrary, it may be considered as a starting point
for a future data development and integration. Data contained in the GIS database and showed by maps rep-
resent a solid base that can be extended with different information, providing a more complete state of the
economic activities in a specific area. Following some examples of data update and integration are explained,
in order to understand some potential uses of this database. It is important to note that future uses and in-
tegrations reported below are just some of the possible ones, considered useful with the purpose of giving a
better view to the T.OP Noordrand stakeholders about their project area.
Data update can be considered as one of the main aim to follow in order to maintain the utility provided by
this database. Economic sector is frequently characterized by changes in activities and companies types or lo-
cations. As reported in the “field work chapter”, a double checking of an existing companies database in Buda
area made during the 2015 fall, has revealed some changes about companies that are gone, while others
have decided to move into this area. Only a period of 8 months has passed between Buda database creation
and double checking, and some correction were already requested in order to maintain the database updat-
ed. This point out how a periodic update is needed to have a real view on the economic sector differentiation
and a knowledge about the site history. The creation of a chronology about every single company or building
can be considered useful in order to understand company changes and movements in a specific area.
From a technical point of view there are some doubts that has to be considered or solved before expanding
this kind of work to a whole region and updating it. The base map here used is the cadastral one, but it has
been edited and modified in order to fit activities and companies into the right part of a buildings or in new
ones that were missing. For that reason has to be find out how a future cadastral map update can be related
to the map that has been created and presented here.
An interesting add-on, useful to extend the amount of information contained in the database can be repre-
sented by a photographic book of every single activity or company. Adding this kind of information, while
relating a pictures database using hyperlinks, allowed a visual check of activities useful to implement the
database accuracy. In addition of this, thanks to a photo reference some more information, like for instance
building conditions, became available without the need of multiple field surveys. As mentioned before also
21. 19
this add-on allows the creation of a chronology about every single company or building , useful to understand
the different changes in a specific area.
Data contained in the created database are represented in a 2D way, this means that an hypothetical multiple
storeys building whit different uses (like commercial use on the ground floor and professional offices into the
other storeys) cannot be represented. To extend this 2D view to a 3D one, that result more precise, a “one
to many” GIS database will be required in order to represent different storeys and their uses. Adding a new
category called “Mix Use” could be an option to avoid the representation of a building characterized by dif-
ferent uses.
This economic activities database is the only one existing for Brussels Capital and Flanders Regions based on a
visual field work. Other kinds of database, based on companies adresses, like “Magdageo” (for Flanders area)
or other municipalities databases, can be used as reference to overlay results, in order to check if companies
included in this address databases really exist or are visible while doing a field survey like the one that has
been done. A discussion focused on the comparison between a municipality database and the one that has
been created here could be useful thanks to the fact that municipalities are often working on a different , and
so smaller, scale. That can provide some more detailed information about active companies.
Last but not least, as already mentioned this mapping procedure can be extended and replicated in different
areas using the same methodology. Starting from a visual based field work and while integrate it with a desk-
top research is possible to obtain results for every kind of areas, even if they are located in the city or in the
country side.
22. 20
6 - NEXT STEPS
For the mapping of new areas the following changes should be made to the database:
- allowing easy updates to existing maps, thus linking a database to existing layers (GRB and Urbis)
- only make a separate layer for the new polygons (split or redrawn of parcels) and no longer copying excerpts
of the existing GRB and Urbis shapefiles
- construction of a relational database that allows multiple entries linked to one building or parcel, including
historic data, photographs and interviews.
- link the RDMS to available data from KBO (kruispuntbank voor ondernemingen) where possible
this work will be carried out by RuimteVlaanderen during october - december 2016
23. 21
USED DATA
• Ngi_topovector_LB72: Topo vector base map
• Klotho14: Orthophoto base map
• Urbis2016: Brussels Capital Region cadastral maps (Buildings + Parcels)
• Cadmap2015: Flanders Region cadastral maps (Buildings + Parcels)
• Grenzen pervl: Belgium regions borders
• Grenzen prov: Flanders provinces borders
• Bel_adm: Belgium provinces bordes
• BruGIS: Brussels capital region online GIS service
• MagdaGeo
24. 22
REFERENCES
1010 Architecture Urbanism (2015), De Gedeelde Vallei, T. OP Noordrand.
Artgineering (2015), T. OP Noordrand, Deelgebied / Zone A205-E40-Meiser-Nossgem, Rotterdam, the Neth-
erlands
Borghese E., Hacıoğlu Ç., (2015), Life in Buda, An interactive Site Survey, Ruimte Vlandeeren, Brussels, Belgi-
um
Innocenti A., (2014), On the road of Leuvensesteenweg / Chaussée de Louvain, Universitá IUAV di Venezia,
Venice, Italy