Using Maps to Boost the Urban Proximity: Analysis of the Location of Public Facilities According to the Criteria of the Spanish Urban Agenda

Abstract

Developing analysis models that promote the sustainability, compactness and social balance of cities is particularly important in addressing post-pandemic urban planning. In this context, the population’s proximity to public facilities is essential for achieving these objectives. Based on this framework, this paper analyses the city of Valladolid (Spain) under the criteria of distance between the population and public facilities proposed by the Spanish Urban Agenda. Specifically, the focus is on calculating the coverage of population with access to the facilities within the recommended distance thresholds using GIS techniques. The methods used relate the facilities with the distance to the population in the census sections, a highly detailed statistical unit. The results have been mapped as a decision making support tool for the city, and show how general coverage of access to facilities for the urban area as a whole is adequate, especially in terms of public transport services, and meets the recommendations of the Spanish Urban Agenda. Maps also reveal how some areas of the city are not covered by most public facilities.