How to use the Interactive Mapping Tool

Introduction

This tool was constructed to support the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) to hold and display evidence data from the strategy document.

The tool contains data from a range of sources including the Audit Commission's Area Profiles, East Midlands Public Health Observatory and evidence from the RES.

The tool allows you to view data from any one of these sources and displays the values on an interactive map. Geographically you can view data by County or Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership.

It also lets you select how you would like to view the data either by showing all the values or the regional Benchmark

Viewing Requirements

The interactive map requires a web browser with Macromedia Flash plugin version 6 or above installed. This can be obtained free of charge from Macromedia.

Main Map View
  1. To view data from the Audit Commission's Area Profiles or from the Regional Economic Strategy click on the drop down menu labelled "Dataset". The Audit Commission holds information on Community Safety, Environment, Housing etc. and the RES will allow you to see data within the Evidence Report including such topics as the Labour Market and Demography.
  2. Click on the drop down menu labelled "Sub dataset" and select the subsequent sub dataset category from the list, which will then enable you to select from a list of related indicators.
  3. The list of Indicators can be selected one at a time. Use the scroll bar to view indicators further down the list. For example if you chose "Area Profiles" as your dataset and "community safety" as your sub dataset, you could then choose an indicator relating to criminal offences, accidents or survey questions regarding safety.
  4. At this point you may choose a Geography against which to view the data either by county or SSP. After selecting a geographic area, the map will update and show your choice. It is then possible to hover over individual districts on the map or on the left hand scale to show the district name, with an option for more information. By double clicking on the district or the scale a separate window will appear with contextual data for that individual district.
Map Features
All Values and Benchmark:
By default the tool will show you the individual data values or "All Values". Selecting the "Benchmark" enables you to see the districts displayed comparing their value to the regional average. The benchmark will illustrate in three colours, the districts that meet the regional average and those that are 10% above or below it.

All Values

Benchmark

Show Towns:
The "Show Towns" button will display the key towns on the map to help locate data.
Black and White:
Check the Black and White tick box to display the map in tonal shades. This view is suitable for those who are colour-blind and are able to view the map accurately with consistency. If you are printing in Black and White it is best to use this option to get the most definition.
Print Map:
By clicking on the print map button, your general printer window will appear, to select your preferences to print.
Contextual Data

To gain contextual data including general population, density and area on a specific district hover over the individual districts on the map or on the scale. Here there is an option here for more information. Click on the district to display the information in a separate window.

This tool was developed by the Lincolnshire Research Observatory, 2006