Spatial Data Science MOOC

Exercise
Create a suitability model

Section 3 Exercise 1
November 8, 2021
 Spatial Data Science MOOC

Create a suitability model

Time to complete
120 minutes

Introduction
Suitability modeling is one of the most foundational approaches to solving spatial
problems—where are the best, or most suitable, locations for something. Whether you are
trying to identify the most suitable location for a store or conservation area, you will follow the
same basic steps.

1. Define the problem: Defining the problem will help you identify a specific and
measurable goal for the suitability analysis.
2. Identify the criteria: The subject of your suitability model will respond to different
phenomena, referred to as criteria (for example, slope). The criteria should support the
defined goal of the suitability model.
3. Derive the criteria: If you do not have data that represents each criterion, you can derive
the criteria from a base dataset (for example, a slope criterion is derived from an
elevation base dataset).
4. Transform criteria values: Criteria values are measured using different scales, so you
must transform these values to a common scale so that they can be compared and
combined.
5. Weight and combine criteria: Some criteria may be more important than others. You can
weight the criteria relative to one another before combining them to create a single
suitability layer.
6. Locate the site: The suitability layer reflects the characteristics of a location. In this step,
you integrate the spatial requirements of the subject of your suitability model and use
these spatial requirements to identify the best locations from the suitability layer.
7. Analyze the results: Analyze the results to confirm that the selected site meets the
requirements and ensure that you achieve the goals of the analysis.

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Exercise scenario
A global company wants to identify the best location for its carbon-neutral headquarters. The
owner would like the headquarters located in the state of Vermont.
In this exercise, you will complete each step of suitability modeling to locate the best, or most
suitable, location for the company's carbon-neutral headquarters.

Step 1: Define the goal

a Before you begin your analysis, define the goal of the suitability model.
Goal: Choose a location for a corporate headquarters that has a minimal carbon footprint.
This location should be situated and designed in a way that is attractive to prospective
employees.
You will use this goal to define the criteria used to create your suitability model and to
evaluate the model to ensure that it is successful.

Step 2: Identify the criteria

Based on the goal of this suitability, and a discussion with corporate leaders, the criteria were
identified. These criteria have been organized into four thematic categories to clarify how the
criteria relate to each other.

• Building site: a location that reduces construction cost and is easily accessible by
employees
• Energy independence: an optimal location to incorporate renewable energy devices
• Access to amenities: a location that is accessible to various amenities
• Environmental concerns: a location that will minimally disrupt critical environmental
areas and corridors

The following tables list the criteria for each category and the required data.

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Building site

Criteria Required data Derived criteria layer

name
Wetlands and high-density areas are Land use layer LandUse
less preferred
Steep slopes are less preferred Slope layer Slope
Closer to major roads is preferred Distance from major Dist_MRoads
roads layer
Visibility from major roads is less Viewshed layer Views
preferred

Energy independence

Criteria Required data Derived criteria layer

name
Higher solar radiation potential is Solar radiation potential Solar
preferred layer
Closer to electric lines (to connect Electric distributions Dist_Elect
solar energy to the utility grid) is layer
preferred
South-facing angles are more Aspect layer Aspect
preferred

Access to amenities

Criteria Required data Derived criteria layer

name
Closer to the airport and the city of Airport locations layer Dist_Airport
Burlington is preferred
Closer to recreational areas is Recreation layer Dist_Rec
preferred
Closer to residential areas is preferred Residential density layer Dist_Resident

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Environmental concerns

Criteria Required data Derived criteria layer

name
Farther from protected areas is Protected areas layer Dist_Protect
preferred
Farther from biological areas is Biological areas layer Dist_Biol
preferred
Farther from wetlands is preferred Wetlands layer Dist_Wetlands
Farther from streams is preferred Streams layer Dist_Streams

Note: These criteria have been chosen for this exercise and are not intended to be an
exhaustive list of the criteria used in this type of suitability model.

Esri Academy course: Suitability Modeling: Introduction

Step 3: Download the exercise data files

In this step, you will download the exercise data files.

a Open a new web browser tab or window.

b Go to [Link] and download the exercise data ZIP file.

Note: The complete URL to the exercise data file is [Link]
[Link]?id=fc530feb4ffb489484b359f4a5b7cebe.

c Extract the files to the EsriTraining folder on your local computer.

Step 4: Open an ArcGIS Pro project

a Start ArcGIS Pro.

b If necessary, sign in using the provided course ArcGIS account.

c In the bottom-left corner of the ArcGIS Pro Start page, click Open Another Project.
Note: If you have configured ArcGIS Pro to start without a project template or with a default
project, you will not see the Start page. On the Project tab, click Open, and then click Open
Another Project.

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d In the Open Project dialog box, browse to the Suitability folder that you saved on your
computer.

e Select the Headquarters_Siting.aprx project and click OK.

Your ArcGIS Pro project includes a map of Vermont with a layer that outlines the area of
interest, or study area, for this suitability model. This study area spans across several counties
in Vermont, including the cities of Burlington, Hinesburg, and Stowe. A mountain range,
called Green Mountains, runs north to south in the eastern part of the study area. The map
includes additional layers that represent the other datasets required to locate the most
suitable location for the corporate headquarters.

f In the Contents pane, turn off the Study_Mask layer and the Hillshade layer.

g Review the following layers that you will be working with by turning them on and off:

• MajorRoads
• GreenMTRidge
• Views
• LandUse
• Elevation_30

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h Turn the Study_Mask layer back on.

i On the ribbon, from the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Environments.

j In the Environments dialog box, under Raster Analysis, click the Mask down arrow and
choose the Study_Mask layer.

k Click OK.
Note: You can also use the Browse button to choose the Study_Mask layer from the Data
geodatabase ([Link]).
Geoprocessing environment settings are additional parameters that affect a tool's results. A
mask is a dataset that defines which locations in the inputs will be considered in the execution
of the tool. The Study_Mask layer will define the mask of the tools that you will run in the next
step.

Step 5: Derive a criterion

Each criterion in a suitability model begins with a base dataset. The base dataset can be used
as the criterion dataset, or it can be used to derive the required criterion dataset. In this step,
you will use the elevation base dataset to derive a slope layer for the study area. The slope
layer is one of four layers required for the Building Site category.

a In the Geoprocessing pane, search for Surface Parameters.

Hint: If you closed the Geoprocessing pane, from the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing
group, click Tools.
Note: Bold text in the exercise steps indicates that you will type this information.

b Select the Surface Parameters (Spatial Analyst Tools) tool.

c For Input Surface Raster, choose Elevation_30.

d For Output Raster, type Slope.

e For Parameter Type, confirm that Slope is selected.

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f Leave the remaining defaults and click Run.

The Surface Parameters output layer is added to the map. This tool derives the slope, or
gradient, for each cell in the Elevation_30 base data. The cells in this raster are symbolized in
colors ranging from a black, indicating gentler slopes, to white, indicating steeper slopes. To
learn more about the Surface Parameters tool, see ArcGIS Pro Help: Surface Parameters
(Spatial Analyst).

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Step 6: Derive the remaining criteria

Next, you will derive the remaining criteria for the building site category.

a In the Contents pane, turn off the Study_Mask layer.

b At the top of the Geoprocessing pane, click the Back button .

c Search for Distance Accumulation.

d Select the Distance Accumulation (Spatial Analyst Tools) tool, and then set the following
parameters:

• Input Raster Or Feature Source Data: MajorRoads

• Output Distance Accumulation Raster: Dist_MRoads
• Input Barrier Raster Or Feature Data: GreenMTRidge

e Leave the remaining defaults and click Run.

Note: You will see a message that the tool completed successfully but with warnings, which is
due to the mask set in the project's environments. Tools that honor the mask environment will
only consider those cells that fall within the analysis mask in the operation. This warning will
not affect your results.

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The tool calculates the straight-line, or Euclidean, distance from the major roads. The study
area for this analysis includes the Green Mountain Ridge. Cars must drive around the ridge,
which you have indicated by adding it as a barrier. The resulting layer illustrates the
accumulated distance from major roads, where green indicates shorter distances and yellow
to pink indicates farther distances. Areas around the ridge may be relatively close (straight-line
distance) to a major road. However, the Distance Accumulation tool indicates that these areas
are far from major roads because you would have to drive around the ridge. To learn more
about the Distance Accumulation tool, see ArcGIS Pro Help: Distance Accumulation (Spatial
Analyst).

f In the Contents pane, turn on the following layers:

• MajorRoads
• Views

g Drag the Views layer above the Dist_MRoads layer.

The Views layer shows visibility from major roads. Areas that are not visible are not assigned a
value and are considered NoData cells. Anytime a cell is assigned NoData, the cell will not be
considered available for locating the headquarters. Because you want to include these areas
in the suitability analysis, you will convert NoData cells to cells with a value of zero using the
Raster Calculator tool.

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h In the Geoprocessing pane, search for Raster Calculator, and then open the Raster
Calculator (Spatial Analyst Tools) tool.

i In the expression field, type the following Map Algebra expression:

Con(IsNull("Views"),0,"Views").
Note: You can type in the expression directly or use the Rasters and Tools controls to help you
create it.
This expression uses a conditional statement where cells assigned NoData (null) are evaluated
as "True" and are assigned a cell value of zero. All other cells are evaluated as "False" and
maintain their original value.

j For Output Raster, type Views_Zero.

k Click Run

l In the Contents pane, turn off the Views layer.

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NoData cells have been reassigned to a cell value of zero, which is represented using black.
As the cell value increases, the symbology lightens to gray and eventually white. The white
areas are the most visible from the major roads, making them the least preferable areas.
The LandUse dataset can be used directly as the criterion, so no geoprocessing tool was
necessary to derive criterion from this base data.

m Turn off all the layers except the World Topographic Map basemap, and then save your
project.
Hint: Press Alt and click the check mark next to the World Topographic Map basemap to turn
off all the layers except the basemap.

Step 7: Create a suitability model

You will complete the remaining steps using the Suitability Modeler. The Suitability Modeler is
an interactive, exploratory environment for creating and evaluating a suitability model. In
general, constructing a suitability model is a nonlinear, iterative process. The Suitability
Modeler provides analytical feedback at each stage of the suitability modeling process and
allows seamless back-and-forth movement between each stage of the model development.
To learn more about the Suitability Modeler, see ArcGIS Pro Help: What is the Suitability
Modeler?

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a On the ribbon, from the Analysis tab, in the Workflows group, click Suitability Modeler.
The Suitability Modeler tab on the ribbon opens, and the Suitability Modeler pane opens. The
Suitability Modeler tab is where you can adjust settings and save the model. The Suitability
Modeler pane is where you will transform criteria values, weight criteria, and, finally, locate
regions.

b From the Suitability Modeler tab, in the Suitability Analysis group, uncheck the Auto
Calculate box to turn off this option.

By unchecking this option, the model data will not automatically update every time a
parameter is changed.

c In the Suitability Modeler pane, for Model Name, type HQ_Model.

d For Output Suitability Raster, type HQ_Suitability.

e At the top of the Suitability Modeler pane, click the Suitability tab.
You have created a new model and adjusted its settings. A group layer, named HQ_Model, is
added to the Contents pane. Group layers help organize related kinds of layers in a map and
can be used to define advanced drawing options.
Next, you will transform criteria values using the Suitability Modeler.

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Step 8: Transform categorical criteria

The values of the criteria datasets are relative to the criteria that they represent. Land use uses
categorical values, such as open water, whereas slope uses continuous values ranging from 0
through 90. Before you can weight these criteria relative to each other, you must transform
their values to a common scale. In this step, you will transform the Land Use layer.

a In the Suitability Modeler pane, next to Input Rasters, click the Add Raster Criteria
Datasets By Browsing To Them button .

b In the Select Input Rasters dialog box, under Project, double-click Databases.

c Double-click the Data geodatabase ([Link]).

d Click the LandUse raster dataset.

e Click OK.

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The LandUse layer is added to the Criteria table and displays in the map. The layer is also
added to the HQ_Model group layer in the Contents pane.

f In the Suitability Modeler pane, in the Criteria table, click the circle to the left of LandUse.

The Transformation Pane opens, and the button next to LandUse in the Suitability Modeler
pane turns green, indicating that it is the active criterion in the Transformation Pane.
The Transformation Pane has three sections: a histogram of the overall suitability values
(Distribution Of Suitability), the transformation window where the active criteria layer values
can be transformed, and a resulting histogram of how the active criteria layer will be
transformed to the suitability scale.

g In the Transformation Pane, in the transformation window (middle section), on the Unique
Categories tab, click the Field drop-down list and choose Category, as shown in the
following graphic.

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h In the Category table, under Suitability, double-click the numbers to make them editable
and adjust the Suitability values as needed to match the following table.

Class Category Suitability

1 Open Water 1
2 Developed, Open Space 5
3 Developed, Low Intensity 4
4 Developed, Medium Intensity 3
5 Developed, High Intensity 1
6 Barren Land 8
7 Deciduous Forest 8
8 Evergreen Forest 7
9 Mixed Forest 8
10 Shrub/Scrub 9
11 Herbaceous 7
12 Hay/Pasture 10
13 Cultivated Crops 9
14 Woody Wetlands 1
15 Emergent Herbaceous 5

Note: The Reclassification table defines the preference scale for each category, where 1 is not
preferable and 10 is very preferable.

i On the ribbon, from the Suitability Modeler tab, in the Suitability Analysis group, click
Calculate.

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The Transformed LandUse layer updates with the calculated values. The categorical land-use
data (open water, mixed forest, and so on) was transformed to a common scale ranging from
1 to 10, where 1 is not preferable and 10 is very preferable. The Transformed LandUse layer
indicates that the most preferred areas are in green and the least preferred areas are in red.

j On the ribbon, from the Suitability Modeler tab, in the Suitability Model group, click Save.

You have saved the edits made to this model. Saving the model does not save the project,
nor does saving the project save the model.

k Save your project.

Hint: To save the project, in the top-left corner of the app, click the Save button .

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Step 9: Transform continuous criteria

In this step, you will transform the criteria with continuous values, such as Slope. Data with
continuous values is known as continuous data, or a continuous surface. This type of data is
not spatially discrete, and the transition between possible values on a continuous surface is
without abrupt or well-defined breaks between values.

a In the Suitability Modeler pane, next to Input Rasters, click the Add Raster Criteria
Datasets By Browsing To Them button .

b In the Select Input Rasters dialog box, under Project, double-click Databases.

c Double-click the Headquarters Siting geodatabase (Headquarters_Siting.gdb), and then

add the following layers to the Criteria table:

• Dist_MRoads
• Slope
• Views_Zero

Hint: Press Ctrl and select all three raster datasets together.

d In the Criteria table, click the circle to the left of Slope.

The button next to LandUse in the Suitability Modeler pane turns gray because LandUse is no
longer the active criterion in the Transformation pane, and it has already been transformed.
Slope is now the active criterion in the Transformation pane.

e In the Contents pane, in the HQ_Model group layer, turn off all the layers except Slope
and Transformed Slope.
Hint: Press Ctrl and uncheck one of the layers in the HQ_Model group layer to turn off all the
layers in the group, and then turn back on the appropriate layers.

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The Slope layer is active in the map view and the Transformation Pane. The Suitability
Modeler identifies that the Slope layer is represented by continuous values, so the Continuous
Functions method is automatically selected in the Transformation Pane. This method applies
linear and nonlinear functions to transform the values continuously to the suitability scale.
There are various transformation functions and each varies in its calculation and application.
Which transformation function to use is based on which function best captures the item being
modeled. You can further refine the characteristics of each function through a series of input
parameters. You can explore the different functions by selecting a function and calculating the
results.

f In the Contents pane, in the HQ_Model group layer, turn off the Slope layer.

g In the Transformation Pane, in the transformation window (middle section), update

Function to Small.

h On the ribbon, from the Suitability Modeler tab, in the Suitability Analysis group, click
Calculate.

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As you explore the methods and functions and their parameters, the transformation histogram
of the layer, the distribution of suitability histogram, and the transformed and final suitability
map layers in the HQ_Model group layer are updated. This process provides feedback about
the effects that the transformation will have on the transformed criterion as well as the impact
on your final suitability map.
In this example, the item being modeled is the location for a corporate headquarters, and the
criterion is slope. The preference decreases as the slope increases, which means that the
MSSmall function is the best function for this transformation. The MSSmall function rescales
input data based on the mean and standard deviation where smaller values in the input raster
have higher preference. To learn more about the transformation functions, see ArcGIS Pro
Help: The transformation functions available for Rescale by Function.

i Update Function to MSSmall, and then calculate again.

The Transformed Slope layer is set to a common preference scale ranging from 1 to 10, where
1 is not preferable and 10 is very preferable. The most preferred areas are in green and the
least preferred areas are in red.

j In the Suitability Modeler pane, click the circle to the left of Dist_MRoads.

k In the Transformation Pane, update Function to Small.

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The distance from roads uses a small function to indicate that locations closer to roads
(smaller values) have the highest preference.

l From the Suitability Modeler tab, click Calculate.

The Transformed Dist_MRoads layer is set to a common preference scale ranging from 1 to
10, where 1 is not preferable and 10 is very preferable. The most preferred areas are in green
and the least preferred areas are in red.

m In the Suitability Modeler pane, click the circle to the left of Views_Zero.

n In the Transformation Pane, at the top of the transformation window (middle section), click
the Continuous Functions tab.

o Update Function to LogisticDecay.

The visibility from roads uses logistic decay to indicate that preference decreases the more
visible the site is to the road.

p From Suitability Modeler tab, click Calculate.

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The Transformed Views_Zero layer is set to a common preference scale ranging from 1 to 10,
where 1 is not preferable and 10 is very preferable. The most preferred areas are in green and
the least preferred areas are in red.
Each criterion for the Building Site category has been transformed to a common preference
scale ranging from 1 to 10, where 1 is not preferable and 10 is very preferable.

q Save the model, and then save your project.

Step 10: Transform the remaining criteria values

To save time, the criteria for the remaining three categories have been derived for you. In this
step, you will transform the criteria values for the remaining layers.

a In the Contents pane, turn off all the layers in the HQ_Model group layer.

b In the Suitability Modeler pane, next to Input Rasters, click the Add Raster Criteria
Datasets By Browsing To Them button .

c In the Select Input Rasters dialog box, under Project, double-click Databases.

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d Double-click [Link], and then press Ctrl and select the following raster datasets:

• Aspect
• Dist_Airport
• Dist_Biol
• Dist_Elect
• Dist_Protect
• Dist_Rec
• Dist_Resident
• Dist_Streams
• Dist_Wetlands
• Solar

e Click OK.
The selected layers are added to the Suitability Modeler and are ready to be transformed.

f Save the model, and then save your project.

g In the Contents pane, turn off all the layers in the HQ_Model group layer.

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h Use the following table to transform the remaining criteria values.

i After you select the transformation function for each layer, click Calculate.

Because Auto Calculate is turned off, you must click Calculate after you select the
transformation function for each layer.

Note: After transforming a layer, you can turn the layer off in the Contents pane.

Raster layer Transformation function

Aspect Gaussian
Dist_Airport Small
Dist_Biol MSLarge
Dist_Elect Small
Dist_Protect LogisticGrowth
Dist_Rec MSSmall
Dist_Resident Linear (and check the Invert Function box)
Dist_Streams Large
Dist_Wetlands Linear
Solar Large

You have transformed all the criteria necessary to complete the suitability model.

j Save the model, and then save your project.

Step 11: Weight and combine criteria

Certain criteria in the model may be more important than others. The application of weights
enables the ability to account for the importance of each criterion to the overall goal. To
account for these differences, you will weight the criteria relative to one another before
combining them.
In ArcGIS Pro, two different methods can be used to weight the criteria, multiplier or percent.
When you created the HQ_Model, the Multiplier method was selected to weight the criteria.

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The transformed criterion values are multiplied by the value specified in the Criteria table in
the Suitability Modeler pane. The multiplied transformed criterion values are then added
together. A weight of 2 means that the criterion is twice as important as a criterion with a
weight of 1. A weight of 10 means that the criterion is 10 times more important. Common
weights are between 1 and 2. This method is best when you can directly weight the criteria
relative to one another.

a Close the Transformation Pane.

b In the Contents pane, turn off all the layers in the HQ_Model group, if necessary, and
then turn on the Suitability Map layer.

The Suitability Map layer is the active layer. The Suitability Modeler calculates a partial-
resolution suitability map (suitability surface) every time that the model is calculated. You will
now apply a weight to each criterion.

c In the Suitability Modeler pane, next to Solar, under Weight, update the number to 1.8.

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Note: When typing the weight for each input raster, it is best to use the row of numbers along
the top of your computer keyboard instead of the numeric keypad.
The suitability map will not update until you click Calculate. You will continue adjusting the
weights for each input raster before you calculate the suitability map to account for the
weights.

d Use the following table to update the weights, if necessary, for the remaining criteria:

Input Rasters Weight

Dist_Wetlands 1.4
Dist_Streams 1.2
Dist_Resident 1.35
Dist_Rec 1
Dist_Protect 1.6
Dist_Elect 1.7
Dist_Biol 1.5
Dist_Airport 1
Aspect 1.35
Views_Zero 1.25
Dist_MRoads 1.25
Slope 1.6
LandUse 1.6

Many different approaches are available for determining weights for a specific model, which
may require collaboration with subject matter experts.

e From the Suitability Modeler tab, click Calculate.

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The values in the suitability surface are calculated as the weighted sum of the values in the
transformed data.
In the Contents pane, you will notice that the values of suitability change after the weighted
criteria are calculated. The higher the value, the more preferred the location is for the
corporate headquarters site. In the locate step of the suitability modeling process, you will use
this map to determine the most suitable locations for the corporate headquarters. The values
in the Suitability Map layer will impact which locations are selected.

f Save the model, and then save your project.

Esri Academy course: Suitability Modeling: Creating a Weighted Suitability

Model

Step 12: Locate the site

Before locating the most suitable site for the corporate headquarters, you must run the
analysis to create the full-resolution suitability map. The resulting full-resolution suitability map
is the Input Suitability Map for the Locate tab parameters.
The locate step of the suitability modeling process allows for the specification of the spatial
requirements, such as the total area, number of regions, and shape characteristics of the

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desired areas. In this step, you will create a full-resolution suitability map that you will use to
identify the best location for the headquarters using specified spatial requirements.

a In the Contents pane, confirm that only the Suitability Map layer and the World
Topographic Map basemap are turned on.

b At the bottom of the Suitability Modeler pane, click Run.

When the full-resolution suitability map is ready, a Run Full Resolution Suitability Map
Completed message will appear at the bottom of the Suitability Modeler pane.

c At the top of the Suitability Modeler pane, click the Locate tab.
Note: If you do not see the Locate tab, click the ellipsis next to the Suitability tab and choose
Locate.
The corporate shareholders have indicated that they want the headquarters to be a campus
with five buildings within walking distance of each other. After further research and discussion,
you used this information to define the following spatial requirements:

• The site must include 500 hectares of total area.

• The areas will be divided into five different areas, or regions.
• No two regions can be closer than 0.5 kilometers or farther than 2 kilometers.

d On the Locate tab, review the parameters.

e Use the following parameters translated from the shareholders' spatial requirements to set
or confirm the tool parameters:

• Area Units: Hectares

• Total Area: 500 (Note: Set Area Units before Total Area.)
• Number Of Regions: 5
• Region Shape: Circle
• Shape/Utility Tradeoff (%): 50
• Evaluation Method: Highest Average Value
• Minimum Distance Between Regions: 0.5
• Maximum Distance Between Regions: 2
• Distance Units: Kilometers

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f Click Run.

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Note: The model will take several minutes to run, and your map symbology colors may differ
from the preceding graphic.
The Suitability Modeler used the full-resolution suitability map to select the best, or most
preferable, configuration of five regions that meet the specified spatial requirements. The five
regions are categorized using different cell values. You can change the symbology to better
identify the five areas.

g In the Contents pane, under Suitable Locations, right-click the symbol next to 0 and select
No Color.

h In the Contents pane, confirm that only the following layers are turned on:

• Suitable Locations
• Suitability Map
• World Topographic Map

i From the Map tab, in the Navigate group, click Bookmarks and choose Headquarters.

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Note: Your results may vary slightly from the preceding graphic.

The five regions are located within the dark green areas of the suitability map, which represent
the more preferable locations of the suitability analysis. Based on the suitability site criteria
and the spatial requirements, these areas are the most suitable configurations of five building
sites to locate the corporate headquarters.

Step 13: Analyze the results

After locating the most suitable locations for the headquarters, you can analyze the results to
ensure that they meet the requirements of the analysis. Various methods can be used to
analyze the results:

• Validate the suitability model with experts from different disciplines.

• Confirm that the sites meet the required criteria.
• Modify parameter values in the data transformations and weights to gauge the effect
on the overall model.

In this step, you will confirm that the sites meet the required criteria.

a In the Contents pane, in the HQ_Model group layer, turn off the Suitability Map layer and
turn on the Views_Zero layer.

b Select the Suitable Locations layer.

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c From the Appearance tab, in the Effects group, click Swipe.

Note: You must select the layer that you want to compare in the Contents pane for the Swipe
tool to swipe (or hide) the selected layer and reveal content beneath it.

d Near the top of the map, click and drag your pointer down and up to compare the
Locations and Views_Zero layers.
The site locations are generally in areas that are not visible (black) or have limited visibility
(dark gray) from the major roads.

e In the Contents pane, turn off the Views_Zero layer and turn on the Slope layer.

f Use the Swipe tool to compare the Suitable Locations and Slope layers.
The site locations are situated in areas with fairly gentle slopes (black and dark gray), which is
in alignment with the original criteria in the analysis.

g Continue using the Swipe tool to compare the suitable site locations with the remaining
criteria.
Overall, the site locations meet the requirements of the analysis. Based on this information,
you can move into the next phase of this analysis.

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 Spatial Data Science MOOC

Step 14: Use ModelBuilder for further analysis

The shareholders would like the headquarters to connect to a nearby park so that employees
can walk or bike between the campus buildings and the park. In this analysis, you will identify
the best paths, or corridors, using ModelBuilder.
The models for this analysis have been completed for you using ModelBuilder and are
available in the Headquarters_Siting.tbx for you to review and run. ModelBuilder allows you to
visualize and record a series of analyses, or model. It uses shape, color, text, and symbols to
visually communicate information about the model. ModelBuilder can help you organize,
document, and share your analysis with others. For more information on ModelBuilder, see
ArcGIS Pro Help: What is ModelBuilder?
Two models are provided for you:

• Cost Surface: This model identifies the cost that a traveler (walker or biker) encounters
as they move through each cell. The criteria that the traveler prefers include fewer
steep slopes, being farther from roads, and being closer to streams. The preferred
values are assigned a lower cost. The result is a cost surface identifying the cost to
move through each cell with the most preferred areas having the lower values. This is
the reverse of a suitability model.
• Connect Campuses: This model converts the park from a vector polygon to a raster,
adds the park to the layer with the five headquarter buildings, and then runs a
connectivity tool. The tool connects the five headquarter buildings and park using the
cost surface created in the previous model. The result identifies the most suitable
network of paths that connect the buildings to each other and to the park.

First, you will run the Cost Surface model.

a In the Catalog pane, expand Toolboxes, and then expand Headquarters_Siting.tbx.

b Right-click Cost Surface and choose Edit.

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 Spatial Data Science MOOC

Cost surface model before running the model using ModelBuilder.

The Cost Surface model opens and the ModelBuilder tab becomes active on the ribbon.
Before running the model, you will set the mask in the model's environments.

c From the ModelBuilder tab, in the Model group, click Environments.

d In the Environments dialog box, under Raster Analysis, click the Mask down arrow and
choose the Study_Mask layer.

e Click OK.

f From the ModelBuilder tab, in the Run group, click Run to run the model.

g If necessary, reposition the Cost Surface window so that you can see the model.

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 Spatial Data Science MOOC

Cost surface model after running the model using ModelBuilder.

You will know that the model has run successfully when the Cost Surface window lists that
processing is Done and the tools and outputs in the model have a drop shadow. Also, the
outputs will be added to your map.

h Close the Cost Surface window.

i Using the previous steps, run the Connect Campuses model.

j Click the Map tab and review the results.

Both models ran successfully and identify the most suitable network of paths that connect the
five headquarters buildings to each other and to the park.

k Save the project and exit ArcGIS Pro.

Copyright © 2021 Esri. All rights reserved. 35