Output Area Classification User Group - OAC » Visualisation

Cambridgeshire OAC Atlas

Daniel Lewis — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:56:32 +0000

In addition to the previously available Cambridgeshire Atlas that details the results of the Cambridgeshire Place Survey, the Local Authority have now released a short summary atlas specifically geared towards use of the Output Area Classification (OAC) in Cambridgeshire.

The latest Cambridgeshire Atlas displays indicators of the characteristics of local areas at a small area level. This is achieved through the use of a customer insight tool called Output Area Classification (OAC). OAC is a geodemographic tool offering socio-demographic data for local neighbourhoods. There are three levels to the classification, which includes seven supergroups, 21 groups and 52 subgroups. The Cambridgeshire Atlas displays the seven supergroups
and the 21 groups. Using the groups classification adds greater distinction to the atlas.

This is a good example of simple and clean visualisation, and hence communication, of OAC for an area.

The interaactive map can be accessed here: http://map1.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/observe/Flash/OAC/atlas.html

OAC on London Profiler

Daniel Lewis — Sat, 01 Jan 2000 11:00:47 +0000

Researchers in the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London have developed a website which maps a range of public sector data for London. The website is called London Profiler and can be accessed at http://www.londonprofiler.org.

Of interest to users of the Output Area Classification is the inclusion of both the SuperGroup and SubGroup data. Additionally, they have developed their own geodemographic classification for London known as LOAC or ‘London Output Area Classification’. A further feature is the ability to add your own data in KML format onto the map. An example has been formalised using the Nestoria property search website. The website is very intuitive with an interface similar to Google Maps.

London Profiler showing OAC SuperGroups

More information about the website can be found in the following paper:

Gibin, M., Singleton, A.D., Mateos, P., Longley, P.A. (2008) Collaborative Mapping of London Using Google Maps: The LondonProfiler. CASA Working Paper 132. London: Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis.

OAC mapping for East Riding

Daniel Lewis — Sat, 01 Jan 2000 11:00:34 +0000

East Riding have created a nice map of OAC across the district, access it [here].

Section of East Riding OAC map

OAC available on CASAs MapTube

Daniel Lewis — Sat, 01 Jan 2000 11:00:00 +0000

The Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at UCL have developed a website for sharing maps called Maptube available at http://www.maptube.org/. The main principle of MapTube is that shared maps can be overlayed to compare data visually. This means that the OAC map available on the site can be compared to other data being shared on Maptube. Features include the ability to navigate the whole world, change the opacity of data layers and zoom and pan the map.

Maptube Website with OAC layer

Cambridgeshire Atlas- OAC and Place Survey

Daniel Lewis — Sat, 01 Jan 2000 11:00:00 +0000

Cambridgeshire County Council has created an interactive map to disseminate the results of their place survey for 2008 in which they used the Output Area Classification extensively. OAC is used to set the findings of the place survey in a broader context, it is interesting to note the way that Cambridgeshire have used the different levels of aggregation of OAC as a way of better targetting, for example, a large rural population. The place survey is thus able to link up OAC with some important government national indicators, such as social cohesion, belonging, anti-social behaviour and so on.

The report is available here.

There is also an accompanying social classification webpage available here.