While traditional location factors such as accessibility, infrastructure and economic indicators remain important, soft location factors are increasingly coming into focus, particularly for residential construction projects.
This release provides three theme maps that evaluate urban areas from a family perspective in a data-driven, differentiated, visual format.
New: the “Urban child-friendliness” theme map
Whether you are a project developer, real estate surveyor, estate agent or investor, this map helps you to see at a glance how suitable a location is for families with children. The map analyses the suitability of urban areas for children based on comprehensive data sources and intelligent scoring algorithms. It combines positive environmental factors, such as childcare centres, playgrounds, schools, parks, and medical facilities, with negative influences, such as noise pollution and nightlife. This gives you a colour-coded overview ranging from green (very good) to red (very bad), enabling you to quickly classify the child-friendliness of the location.
Where can I find the new theme map?
The “Urban child-friendliness” theme map can be found in the map manager (e.g. on the property details page) and in the “Location Analysis” feature. This allows you to assess the child-friendliness of a location in a targeted and context-specific way.
For whom is the new card particularly interesting?
- Investors: Identify attractive locations for family-friendly residential projects.
- Project developers: Use the map for your neighbourhood planning.
- Real estate agents: Highlight particularly child-friendly locations in your exposé.
What lies behind the scoring? How can child-friendliness be measured?
The calculation behind the new theme map is complex, but the result is clear and easy to understand. Our development team developed the entire methodology in-house.
What is included in the rating?
The evaluation is based on a sophisticated scoring system. Both positive and negative influencing factors are included in the analysis.
Positive influencing factors:
- Daycare centres and childcare services
- Schools
- Playgrounds
- Parks and green spaces
- Medical care
Negative influencing factors:
- Bars, clubs and nightlife POIs
Noise pollution, according to the official federal noise pollution map.
Intelligent scoring logic for realistic location assessments
The model is based on several smart calculation principles to ensure that the result reflects the actual reality of families’ lives:
- Standardisation according to population density: provision is set in relation to the number of children in the surrounding area – so urban locations are not automatically rated better than rural ones.
- Scoring according to variety instead of mass: Different facilities count more than pure clustering. The first playground in the neighbourhood has a greater influence than the third in the same category.
- Noise reduction according to intensity: The louder the neighbourhood, the greater the devaluation – from halving to reducing to a tenth of the value.
- Bonus for social proximity: A high density of children in the neighbourhood has a positive effect on the score – because potential playmates increase the attractiveness of the location for families.
Reliable database
The map is based on high-quality data sources:
- POI data from OpenStreetMap
- Population data from the 2022 census at 100×100 m level
- Federal noise maps for a realistic assessment of the neighbourhood
What do the ratings from “very good” to “very poor” mean?
The colour rating is based on the location’s overall score:
- Very good: Above-average supply and low stress.
- Good: Good supply, low stress
- Average: An average combination of positive and negative factors.
- Poor/very poor: Under-supply and/or high noise pollution; many nightlife POIs.
The colouring helps with quick orientation, eliminating the need to delve deep into the individual data sources.
Advantages at a glance
- Quick overview: Initial assessment of child-friendliness
- Time-saving: No need to click through various individual maps.
- Sustainable planning: Early identification of family-friendly locations
- Marketing advantage: Position properties specifically as ‘family-friendly locations’.
- Avoid bad investments: Exclude locations with structural disadvantages for families.
More insights: Optimised theme maps of school and daycare provision
In addition to the new “Urban child friendliness” theme map, two further POI scoring maps are now available: “School coverage” and “Kindergarten coverage”. These provide targeted support when analysing individual infrastructure areas.
Theme map “School Coverage”
This map shows the school infrastructure of a location on a colour scale from green (excellent provision) to red (inadequate provision). It is based on a data-based model that relates the estimated school capacity in the surrounding area to the number of school-age children. The school locations are based on OpenStreetMap data.
This map can be found in the map manager under POI scoring maps and in the ‘Location Analysis’ feature.
- Identification of areas with under-supply or very good-supply of schools
- Consideration of regional differences through standardisation according to population structure
- Realistic evaluation through graduated effect of neighbouring schools
Theme map “Kindergarten Coverage”
The “Kindergarten Coverage” theme map helps to assess the daycare centre infrastructure in potential development areas.
Based on a ratio model, it shows the number of children of daycare centre age in relation to the number of childcare places in the surrounding area. The visualisation uses a colour scale ranging from green (excellent supply) to red (poor supply).
Benefits:
- Early identification of gaps in childcare provision
- Combination of daycare centres and other childcare options
- Graduated assessment according to proximity and diversity
Conclusion: Making urban family-friendliness visible
With its expanded range of maps, IZ Research now offers a powerful set of tools for analysing family-oriented locations. Whether for planning, evaluation or marketing purposes, the new thematic maps provide an overview of child-friendliness and the provision of schools and daycare centres in urban areas.
This is a real added value for anyone who wants to design and develop family-friendly urban areas.
