Isovist Analyst

Isovist Analyst is an extension for ArcView, which computes isovists and more than 20 isovist measures.The extension is available for free for all non-commercial and non-profit personal use purposes. Please contact me for a copy along with a sentence on the nature of your intended use of the software.

Some noteworthy features of Isovist Analyst include:

  • Computes isovists and isovist measures based on ray tracing and the visibility polygon approach, which unlike the conventional regular grid based approaches, is scale-invariant.
  • Computes isovists for line, polyline, polygonal (both convex and nonconvex) obstacles.
  • Allows an arbitrary sweep angle for the line of sight (ray interval).
  • Computes isovists and more than 20 isovists measures including, area,dispersion,compactness, circularity, convexity, clustering coefficient, control and standard radial measures.
  • Does not require any other ArcView extension (except IAE-3D versions).
  • Computes novel measures which allow an objective identification of the major lines of visibility in a space.

Researchers have used Isovist Analyst Extension for:

  • Research on Crime Distribution in Space.
  • Research on Local Properties of Space.
  • To develop a 3D model of a Planning System and Landscape
  • To explore a range of spatial/urban for analysis tools and Techniques to develop an approach to the evaluation of "good" (socially and ecologically) urban form.
  • Research of Domestic Space organisation and of Urban Neighbourhoods.
  • Experimenting with Roadway Corridor Analysis in Arcview environment.
  • Walkability analysis, and also possible application to junction design and siting of pedestrian road crossings.
  • Animal Displacement Studies.
  • Presentation to student in Telecommunications.
  • To investigate aspects of preserved natural spaces in an urban environment, as well as looking at undeveloped land to ascertain pros and cons for potential urban development.
  • Research on historical urban form, and change over time.
  • Research on behavioral issues, crime, wayfinding
Minimum Requirements:

ArcView 3.x for Windows by ESRI.

NEWS: A new faster and improved version of Isovist Analyst, which will also work for ArcGIS and potentially other software, is now being developed. Please check back towards the end of next month for further news.