[0001] The name of this invention is Urban Milieu Mapping System, an analytical tool of information for the comprehensive processing and evaluation of urban milieu, the technical terms involved will be explained in later sections.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates in general to urban study, particularly to urban spatial analysis and evaluation, this is one of the research methodologies in the urban study field. There can be a wide variety of methods to conduct urban dynamics, such as 3d model study, distribution study and situational study.

[0003] Milieu means the people, physical, and social conditions and events that provide the environment in which someone acts or lives ¹ . Urban milieu in general refers to the physical or social setting in a certain urban area, which is a frequent research subject in the fields of urban study. This invention, the Urban Milieu Mapping System attempts to quantify and compare the quality of urban milieu in certain place.

Background Art

[0004] Urban evaluations are performed by urban planners or professionals. This conventionally appear as SWOT analysis (or SWOT matrix), which is a strategic planning technique used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to project planning ² . In urban study, SWOT is usually used as a contextual analysis tool in planning, particularly in the fields of land-resource planning, urban strategy planning, tourism planning, etc ³ .

[0005] There are other contextual analysis and evaluation methods developed from SWOT. Amongst them, one widely used method is the Environmental Carrying Capacity (ECC) concept and tool for sustainable development of human settlements ⁴ , as well as for the assessment of the sustainability level of a given area ⁵ . The ECC is defined as the level of human activity, population growth, land use, physical development that the environment can support without serious degradation and irreversible changes ⁶ .

Summary of Invention

[0006] The invention is an analytical software used to derive the relative values of selected pieces of land (plots) demarcated within a zone (area) at a particular time based on the objective mapping of a set of economics, environmental and cultural-socio (civic) factors containing 24 attributes. These attributes in turn can also be categorized into two relative urban characteristics of convenience and distinction.

Technical Problem

[0007] The conventional SWOT analysis only analyzes the research object in general terms, and the result is descriptive, which is usually a brief judgment of the strengths and weaknesses, lacking depth and accuracy. For the urban milieu analysis, there would be more segmentation, and the results are quantified. These results are graphically presented as a common empirical approach in urban research

[0008] The Environmental Carrying Capacity and other similar evaluation methods though provide quantified and graphical method in urban study, it has a major drawback: The lack of capability to process and collate large data volume. These methods are focused more on processing the expertise and technicalities of each individual attribute that are usually too complicated for common users to operate.

Solution to Problems

[0009] To solve the problem described above, the present invention is to provide an easy- to-operate and relatively straight forward application for urban milieu analysis and evaluation. Firstly, in order to conduct a more accurate and in-depth analysis, the Urban Milieu Mapping System breaks down the entire evaluation into 24 different attributes, which can be categorized into 3 factors (ref. table 1). The table lists down the essential attributes for any urban milieu analysis, it also specifies the standard and format of all attributes that ensures the consistency of the entire mapping process. The attributes are independently selected from the attribute table for specific study and finally overlaid with other needed attributes to form a conclusive map.

[0010] Secondly, since there are 24 different attributes, processing of each attribute needs to be optimized to ensure operational efficiency. In this invention, each attribute data, after inputting, will be automatically processed as an integrated function in the system. This streamlined process improves efficiency and provides an intuitive user experience.

[0011] [Table 1] Attribute Table of Urban Milieu Mapping System

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012] Aspects of exemplary embodiments may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of exemplary embodiments.

[0013] [fig-1] is a schematic block diagram illustrating a functional architectural model of a data processing workflow and the interactive process of the Urban Milieu Mapping System.

[0014] [fig-2] is the user interface of the Urban Milieu Mapping System.

[0015] [fig-3] is the user interface of the system when clicking on the ‘WATERFRONT’ attribute button.

[0016] [fig-4] is ‘WATERFRONT’ attribute map generated by the system.

[0017] [fig-5] illustrated that the ‘Environment Overlaying’ operation window will pop up when clicking on the ‘ENVIRONMENT’ button.

[0018] [fig-6] is the draft Environment Factor Map generated by the system

Description of Embodiments

[0019] Reference to the drawings illustrating various views of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is now made. In the drawings and the description of the drawings herein, certain terminology is used for convenience only and is not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] [fig-1] illustrates the workflow as well as the interactive process that contains 4 steps: [0021] Step 1: Setting up a customized attribute table (selecting the necessary attributes) for the particular project (basic urban analysis knowledge is needed in this step).

[0022] Step 2: Inputting data of each attribute (the data acquisition and collation process are separate from this invention). After inputting, each attribute map will be automatically generated.

[0023] Step 3: Overlaying all the attribute maps to get the Integrated Map.

[0024] Step 4: Verification, this is separate from the system itself. It is also the interactive process which the professionals can verify and calibrate the process until achieving a preferred result, thereby outputting the result.

Examples

[0025] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

[0026] This is an example of the urban milieu analysis of Singapore. This example shows how this invention can be helpful in comparison of urban milieu for a certain area.

[0027] As described above, this urban milieu analysis process has 4 steps:

[0028] Step 1: Preparing all the necessary data according to the attribute table. In this example, we selected 19 attributes from the Attribute Table to conduct the analysis, [fig.2] illustrates the user interface of the system. Clarification: In the original Urban Milieu Mapping System, the buttons have color, this document use grayscale drawings due to the WIPO requirements ⁷

[0029] Step 2: Inputting data, users can click on the function buttons to enter the corresponding data. After inputting, the system will automatically generate the respective attribute map. For example, [fig.3] illustrates the interface for user to input data when clicking on the ‘WATERFRONT’ button, [fig.4] illustrates the result of the ‘WATERFRONT’ attribute map. The buttons with white background and black words means that data is uploaded and processed already.

[0030] Step 3: Overlaying all the attribute maps to get the Integrated Map. For example, after all the necessary attribute maps of the ‘Environment’ factor have been generated, users can click on the ‘ENVIRONMENT’ factor button, an overlaying operation window (refer to [fig.5]) will pop up. Users can then adjust the overlaying rules and click “OK” button to generate the draft integrated map (refer to [fig.6]). Clarification: the original Urban Milieu Mapping System generate color maps, this document use grayscale maps due to the WIPO requirements ⁷ [0031] Step 4: Verification of the draft integrated map. In this example, users can verify and choose to output the result or calibrate it for a suitable purpose.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0032] This invention has 2 main advantages:

[0033] 1. It provides an empirical standard for comparison of places. The result is much more accurate and specific than the traditional SWOT analysis.

[0034] 2. It improves the analysis and evaluation efficiency. By automating the data processing, as compared to doing it manually, generally a 70% timesaving can be achieved.

Industrial Applicability

[0035] This invention is to enhance SWOT analysis in terms of accuracy and complexity to quantify and compare strength and weakness of any spatial context or environmental study, it can be the evaluation of the existing spatial situation or forecasting of the future spatial development based on a particular plan. It can be applied in three main areas:

[0036] 1. Urban planning and urban design projects. It can be used to compliment the

SWOT analysis in these projects to provide a quantified and graphically presented reference for formulation of planning strategy, selection of relevant land-use and location of suitable amenities.

[0037] 2. Land and property development projects. It can be used to avoid threats and discover new opportunities in development. It is also an effective development phasing guide.

[0038] 3. Government authority policy making. It can help the policy maker to validate the existing master plan, identify planning incongruency, and guide development density and intensity for the formulation of planning guideline.

Citation List

[0039] Citations in this document are all Non Patent Literature, Citation List follows:

[0040] 1: Milieu, (n.) In Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary. cambridge.org/dictionary /english/milieu?q=Milieu

[0041] 2: “SWOT analysis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Dec. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis

[0042] 3: YUAN, Mu, Xiaoguang ZHANG, and Ming YANG. "SWOT ANALYSIS IN

URBAN STRATEGIC PLANNING: APPLICATION AND INNOVATION [J]." City Planning Review 4 (2007).

[0043] 4: Edelman, D. "Carrying Capacity Based Regional Planning by National Institute of

Urban Affairs, New Delhi." Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies: Rotterdam, The Netherlands (1997). [0044] 5: Jung, Chanhoon, et al. "Analysis of environmental carrying capacity with emergy perspective of Jeju Island." Sustainability 10.5 (2018): 1681.

[0045] 6: S wilder, Malgorzata, et al. "The application of ecological footprint and biocapacity for environmental carrying capacity assessment: A new approach for European cities." Environmental Science & Policy 105 (2020): 56-74

[0046] 7. “Regulations under the PCT”, Rule 11.13. https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/rules/rl l.html#_l 1_13