Design a resilient mixed-use neighborhood

Climate change is a growing concern for everyone, but coastal areas are at a higher risk for sea-level rise and flooding. Many areas are faced with urban planning concerns to keep property and residents safe and to create a thriving community. In this tutorial, you'll use ArcGIS Urban to create a zoning map that balances these needs. By incorporating sea level rise projections and flood risk assessments, you can design a zoning plan that minimizes future damage while maximizing the potential for a prosperous and resilient coastal community. This tutorial will guide you step-by-step through creating a zoning map that takes climate change risks into account, ensuring a more sustainable future for your coastal area.

This tutorial was last tested on June 15, 2026.

Requirements

• ArcGIS Urban
• ArcGIS organizational account with a Publisher, Facilitator, or Administrator role (see options for software access)

Create and configure an urban model

You'll start the urban planning initiatives for Suva, Fiji, by creating a blank urban model. After creating the model, you'll incorporate key data layers for the selected area, including custom base layers, parcel and zoning boundaries, space and building types, and a custom indicator. Integrating custom base layers will provide contextual insights and a detailed perspective of the city's urban structure. Additionally, including context layers that represents minor (nuisance flooding) and major flooding (for example, a 100-year return period tropical cyclones) along Fiji's coastlines will help visualize the impact of climate change.

Create the urban model

You'll create your urban model in ArcGIS Online. First, you'll change the measurement units to metric units to match the measurements used in Fiji.

1. Sign in to your ArcGIS organizational account.

   Note:

   If you don't have an organizational account, see options for software access.

2. On the ribbon, click your username and choose My settings.

   

3. In the Units section, click Metric.

   

   The changes are automatically saved, and your units are set to metric. You can change the units back to US Standard at any time.

   Next, you'll create an urban model and add contextual layers. You want to highlight Suva's unique challenges, including size, resource constraints, and exposure to climate events.

4. On the ribbon, click the Content tab. On the Content page, click Create app.

   

5. Choose Urban.

   

   A map appears where you can choose the location of the urban model.

6. For Choose model location, type Suva City. In the list of search results, click Suva City, Rewa Province, Central, FJI.

   

   A boundary is placed around the area on the map.

   

   You have successfully located the area for the urban model. You'll skip selecting a basemap and coordinate system and choose a template.

7. Scroll down. For Template, ensure that Default is chosen.

   

   The Default template includes a set of configured space uses, building and zoning types, metrics, and ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World datasets as indicators. This template is recommended for any international models, because it provides a base for starting your work that can be modified and localized, and includes many metrics commonly used to analyze planning scenarios, such as population, housing units, and emissions.

   Next, you'll add a parcel layer so that your 3D buildings and trees can sit upon a map of local land use regulations.

8. For Parcels, click Import from feature layer.
9. Click the Filters button. Click My organization and choose All.

   

10. In the search box, type suva. Click the SuvaParcels layer owned by Esri_Tutorials and click Next.

    

11. For step 2, Sublayer, click Next.

    A screen appears where you can match fields. You'll accept the default field settings.

12. Click Next to validate features. When the validation is complete and 372 features are validated, click Close.

    The parcels are now added to the urban model.

    

    You'll leave the Zoning option blank for now and import features later.

13. Click the Create Urban Model button.

    It takes a few minutes to generate the urban model. When the model is created, it automatically zooms to the study area.

Add zoning descriptions to the model

Next, you'll add the zoning descriptions for the zone boundaries.

1. On the ribbon, click the Suva City, Rewa Province, Central, FJI drop-down arrow and click Configure Urban Model.

   

2. On the ribbon, click System of Record and choose Zoning types.

   

   A page showing a list of zoning types appears. You'll delete these and add your own.

3. In the Zoning types section, click the Delete many button.

   

4. Next to Color, check the box to select all five zoning types and click the Delete 5 button.

   

5. In the Delete items window, click Delete.

   Next, you'll download a table containing zoning information and add it to the urban model.

6. Download the SuvaZoningTable.
7. Click Add and choose From spreadsheet.

   

8. For Upload file, click the Choose file button.

   

9. Browse to where you saved the SuvaZoningTable. Select it and click Open.
10. Click Next.

    Some fields are automatically matched, such as Label and Name, but others are not.

    

    Next, you'll match the Description and Custom ID fields.

11. For the Description field, choose Name. For the Custom ID field, choose Label.

    

12. Click Next. Once the ten features are validated and imported, click Close.

    

    Note:

    The Zoning types colors are randomly assigned. The colors you see may not align with the above image.

    You have imported zoning types that are specific to Suva City into the urban model.

13. On the ribbon, click System of record and choose Zoning boundaries.

    

14. Click Add.

    

    The Import zoning boundaries window appears.

15. Click the Filters button. Click My organization and choose All.
16. In the search bar, type suva zoning.

    

17. Click the Suva zoning layer owned by Esri_Tutorials and click Next twice.
18. In the Fields step, for Fields in source, for both the Zoning type and Custom ID fields, choose Label.

    

19. Click Next.
20. When 77 features are validated and imported, click Close.
21. On the ribbon, click the Return to overview button.

    

You have added parcels and zoning information that are specific to Suva to the urban model. Now your model contains all the required information about existing conditions and regulations that you'll incorporate into the plans you create.

Develop a zoning plan

Plans allow you to design and compare different scenarios for long-term development over a larger area. There are two types of plans: land use and zoning. Land use plans allow planners to propose future land use over large areas. Zoning plans usually concern smaller areas and consider zoning regulations. Planners can propose scenarios that consider the existing regulations, or they can alter the existing regulations and propose new ones.

Next, you'll create a zoning plan that addresses the current conditions and proposes modifications to bolster resilience. You'll learn how to assess the existing situation and make informed decisions to create a neighborhood that can withstand environmental challenges, while still accommodating diverse community needs.

Create the zoning plan

First, you'll create a zoning plan for Suva to improve existing zoning regulations and increase climate resilience within the area.

1. In the overview, click the Add button and choose Plan.

   

   The parcel boundaries appear. The pointer becomes a cross hair and shows longitude and latitude as you move it. To see a value for Area, you'll need to draw a polygon.

   

   You can draw the study area boundary or import it. You'll draw it.

2. Draw the boundary area for the plan, clicking along the way to add vertices.

   

   Note:

   Your boundary doesn't have to be exactly like the one in the example.

3. Double-click to finish the sketch.
4. In the Create plan pane, for Name, type Suva Flood Resilient Zoning Plan and ensure that Plan type is set to Zoning plan. Click Create plan.

   

   The digitized boundary appears.

5. On the ribbon, click Suva Flood Resilient Zoning Plan and choose Configure plan.

   

6. In the Detail card page, enter the following information:
   • For Description, copy and paste Urban master plan for a new flood resilient mixed-use neighborhood.
   • For Dates, accept the first date as today's date.
   • For the second date, keep the day and month and set the year to 2030.

   

   The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, released in 2018, highlights the importance of significant emissions reductions by 2030 to have a chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Many governing authorities have adopted this as a deadline for specific climate action; it is also a time frame at which these authorities may want to reassess their strategies based on progress to date.

7. Under Overview settings, for Featuring, check Featured.
8. Under Design Settings, click the edit button.

   

   You'll select contextual layers that illustrate the climate challenges Suva faces.

9. In the Select plan context window, click the Filters button. Set the portal to All.
10. In the search box, type suva minor.
11. Click the Suva minor and moderate flooding web scene owned by Esri_Tutorials and click Select.

    

    This context scene is added to the plan.

    

12. On the ribbon, click the Return to plan button.

    

    The new zoning plan is added.

    

    Before you modify the zoning for the Suva area, you'll analyze the scene to visually identify flood prone areas.

13. If necessary, zoom to the study area and explore the parcels closer to the water (higher flood risk).

    

    This area is part of a military installation. Many of the buildings and infrastructure here cannot be moved. This area also carries a lot of flood risk, and for this reason, it's important to prioritize low-impact development. To mitigate flood, you'll want to mitigate development that increases impervious area or contributes to uses that impede infiltration (compaction from heavy traffic, for example).

Identify suitable areas

Next, you'll examine elevation change and visually identify areas suitable for increasing density to accommodate potential relocation of businesses and residents in the flood zone.

1. On the ribbon, click the Analysis tab. On the Analysis pane, click the Elevation profile button.

   

2. On the scene, click in the ocean west of the parcels to start the line and continue clicking as you head east to create additional segments.

   

3. Double-click outside near the RB zone to finish the profile line.
4. In the Elevation profile 1 pane, on the chart, move the pointer along the elevation line to examine the elevation change.

   The Profile tool displays an elevation profile chart with statistics. You can interact with the chart to display more information.

   

   Doing a quick analysis like this allows you to get an idea of the elevation profile of the study area, which is important for flooding and if you must relocate any businesses to a higher elevation.

5. On the Elevation profile 1 panel, click the back button to clear the profile line and chart.

   

   The residential areas and special use areas along the coast experience a roughly 50-meter elevation difference. This residential area is suitable for increased density to accommodate businesses and residents who are further from the coastal flood area.

   Next, you'll analyze the plan to see the current zoning allocation with existing conditions. This will be your first scenario for Suva. Currently the Existing and Scenario 1 scenarios are identical. Before you edit Scenario 1, you'll rename it to something more meaningful.

6. On the ribbon, click the Scenario 1 drop-down arrow and click Scenario settings.

   

   The Scenarios window appears. Here, you can change the names of scenarios, add descriptions, and add other scenarios.

7. In the Scenarios window, expand Scenario 1.
8. For Name, type Flood Resilient Scenario and click OK.

   

   On the ribbon, the scenario name is updated.

   

   As you develop a scenario, you can click the Existing scenario to compare them. Next, you will explore the existing zoning allocation within the study area.

9. On the ribbon, click the Zoning tab.

   

   A list of zoning appears showing the number of hectares for each.

   

   A significant portion of the area is dedicated to industrial zoning (CD, CA, CB), housing critical facilities that are integral to naval and industrial operations and cannot be relocated. You'll prioritize retaining these essential industrial facilities while simultaneously enhancing the surrounding residential areas for increased climate resilience.

   For the residential areas, you will initiate zoning amendments to accommodate residential and retail developments that adhere to heightened climate resilience standards. In addition, where applicable, you'll introduce green infrastructure, such as mangroves and other vegetation, along the coastal regions. This green infrastructure will serve as a natural protective barrier against coastal flooding, effectively absorbing floodwater, reducing storm surge, and mitigating other associated risks.

   Furthermore, the presence of bus terminals in the area presents an opportunity to enhance resilience to flooding. It is recommend designing these terminals with flood-resistant materials and elevating them to reduce the risk of disruption during flood events. Additionally, implementing advanced stormwater management systems in and around the terminals can help alleviate flood-related issues, ensuring the continuity of essential transportation services during adverse weather conditions.

Perform a flood risk assessment

Next, you'll analyze flood risk for the area by establishing an overlay district. The purpose of overlay districts is to apply more stringent standards to development within the zone and protect the parcels that are in flood-risk zone. Overlay districts address potential flood risks, both minor and moderate. The goal is to preserve existing military and industrial uses, use preservation and managed retreat for commercial and residential areas, and increase resilience of the transportation infrastructure.

The approach you'll implement involves using results obtained from a Bathtub model, which assesses flood risk in the region. The overlay district will encompass parcels identified as directly susceptible to minor and moderate flooding according to the Bathtub model. You can read more about the NOAA Detailed Method for Mapping Sea Level Rise Inundation.

You'll use the following criteria for locating parcels for flood risk mitigation:

• Base—1.302m
• Minor Flood Vulnerability—+0.5m --> 2m
• Moderate-Major Flood Vulnerability—+0.8-1.2m --> 3m

Using these thresholds, you'll select all parcels that are susceptible to moderate or major flood.

1. On the ribbon, click the Analysis tab.

   

2. On the Analysis panel, click New.
3. On the New analysis panel, click Suitability.

   

   The Suitability 1 panel appears. Here, you can give the suitability model a name, add criteria layers, and reclassify the data to a common scale.

4. For Name, click Suitability 1 to edit the name. Delete the existing text and type Flood-Resilience Parcel Selection Model.

   

   The suitability model name is updated. Now you'll add the suitability model criteria.

5. Under Criteria, click Add criteria.

   

   The Criterion panel appears.

6. For Name, click Criterion 1, delete the existing text and type Minor-Moderate Flood Vulnerability.
7. For Source, click External layer.

   

   You'll add a flood vulnerability layer from ArcGIS Online.

8. For External layer, click the edit button. Click the Filters button and set the portal to All.
9. In the search box, type suvaparcels.
10. Click the SuvaParcelsFloodRisk layer owned by Esri_Tutorials. Click Next and click Select.

    

    The SuvaParcelsFloodRisk layer appears in the criteria.

11. For Field, choose MOD_FLOOD_INT.
12. For Intersect with, click Parcel centroid.

    

    With any suitability analysis, the data that you use may be on different scales. For example, elevation could be in meters and distance could be in miles. Plus, you want to rank areas based on a simple 1-10 scale. A common step in suitability analysis is to get the datasets onto a similar scale. This process is called reclassification. The original criteria values must be reclassified to a common suitability scale between 0 and 10, with 0 being unsuitable and 10 being suitable. You want to identify parcels that fall within the moderate flood vulnerability. These parcels have a value of 1-3m.

13. For Intervals, click Add interval twice to add two intervals.

    

    Setting an interval's start value automatically sets the same value for the preceding interval's end.

14. For the first interval, for Score, type 10. For the second interval, keep the Score value of 0.

    

15. On the Minor-Moderate Flood Vulnerability panel, click the back button.

    

16. On the Suitability panel, click Run.

    

    The suitability score for each parcel is calculated and the map shows the result.

    

    Suitable parcels display in green and unsuitable parcels in red. Parcels that have been excluded from the analysis are gray. Selected parcels have been outlined in blue.

17. On the map, click a green parcel.

    

    A pop-up appears and shows the cumulative score.

18. Close the pop-up. On the Flood-Resilience Parcel Selection Model panel, click the back arrow to return to the Analysis panel.

    The selection is saved to the model. You can return to the Analysis pane at any time and click on a model to see the selection.

Add an overlay boundary

Now that the parcels are selected, the next step involves the creation of a dedicated overlay district tailored explicitly for flood resilience.

1. On the ribbon, click the Zoning tab.

   

   The zoning layer reappears.

2. On the toolbar between the map and the Zoning panel, click the Add zoning or overlay boundary button.

   

   A toolbar appears on the view.

3. On the blue editing header, ensure the Add new boundary by drawing tool is selected.

   

4. On the toolbar, click the Overlay button. For Coverage overlay, choose Height overlay.

   

   You're ready to draw the overlay boundary. For the first few segments of the boundary, you'll follow the existing study area boundary.

5. On the map, click the southwest corner of the study area boundary to add a vertex.

   

6. Move the pointer to the northwest corner and click to add another vertex.

   

7. Move the pointer to the northeast corner and click to add another vertex. Move the pointer to where Edinburgh Drive on the basemap intersects the boundary and click again.

   

   Next, you'll go to the west by clicking along the road on the basemap (Edinburgh Drive).

8. Use the wheel button to zoom in and click along Edinburgh Drive to add vertices for the overlay boundary.

   

9. Continue clicking to add vertices, heading south along Rodwell Road.

   

10. Continue clicking to add vertices along the road onto Scott Street. When you reach the south end of the study area boundary, double-click to complete the sketch.

    

11. On the toolbar, click OK.

    

    On the map, the overlay boundary appears in purple. In the zoning pane, in the Overlays section, the height overlay that you created appears.

    

    In a coastal resilience overlay district, parameters related to building height and setbacks are crucial for enhancing the area's resilience to coastal hazards, including sea-level rise, storm surges, and flooding.

    The following are some parameters and setbacks to consider:

    • Maximum Height Limits—Specify a maximum building height limit of 105 meters (approximately 32.8 feet) to prevent the construction of tall structures that may obstruct coastal views or increase wind resistance during storms.
    • Shoreline Setbacks—For parcel edges intersecting the mean highest high water mark (MHHW), provide a minimum 10 meter setback to create a buffer zone, ensuring that buildings are set back a sufficient distance from the shoreline. This reduces the risk of storm surge damage and allows for natural coastal protection.
    • Rear Setbacks—Implement a 7-meter rear setback from the MHHW mark of all water bodies to provide additional protection against flooding and erosion. These setbacks can also accommodate green infrastructure, such as dunes or vegetation, to increase onsite detention capacity.
    • Side Setbacks—Adjust side setbacks to create more space between neighboring buildings, with a minimum requirement of 5 meters to reduce the risk of wind damage during storms.
    • Vegetation Requirements—Require the planting of vegetation within all setbacks to enhance coastal protection. Mangroves, native grasses, and dune vegetation can absorb floodwaters, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife.
    • Build on Pilings or Stilts—Mandate the use of pilings or stilts for buildings within setback areas, elevating structures at least 1.5 meters above ground level to minimize flood risks while allowing water to flow underneath.
    • Critical Infrastructure Setbacks—A 15-meter setback from the MHHW is required for critical infrastructure such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and emergency response centers to protect essential services from coastal hazards.
    • Public Access Setbacks—Ensure that setbacks are designed to maintain public access to the coastline and beaches while safeguarding against erosion and flooding, with a minimum setback of 10 meters.

    Another important factor is lot coverage. For all parcels, lot coverage will not increase beyond the following values for each zone:

    • Commercial A—80 percent
    • Commercial B—70 percent
    • Commercial D—50 percent
    • Community Development—70 percent
    • Designated Use—10 percent
    • General Industry—60 percent
    • Recreation Space—0 percent
    • Residential B—30 percent
    • Special Use—70 percent

    These specific values for building height and setbacks aim to enhance the resilience of coastal areas to sea-level rise, storm surges, and flooding while considering local conditions and regulations.

Adjust the overlay boundary

Next, you'll edit the overlay boundary's parameters.

1. On the map, click the overlay boundary to select it.

   

   When you select the boundary, it is highlighted in light blue and a Height overlay pop-up appears.

2. In the Height overlay pop-up, click the Modify button.

   The Modify overlay window appears.

3. In the Modify overlay window, enter the following parameters:
   • For Description, type Flood resilience overlay.
   • For Height, type 15.
   • For Coverage, type 70.
   • For Tiers & setbacks, click the Add tier button and click Tier 1 to expand it.
   • For Front interior setback, type 10.
   • For Front street setback, type 10.
   • For Side interior setback, type 5.
   • For Side street setback, type 7.
   • For Rear interior setback, type 7.
   • For Rear street setback, type 7.

   

4. Click OK.
5. Click the overlay boundary to select it.

   In the Height overlay pop-up that appears, the parameters you entered are listed.

   

   The subsequent phase of the planning strategy focuses on strengthening zoning amendments within residential areas to enhance their resilience against cyclones and flooding. To achieve this, you'll address specific parameters such as minimum floor heights, maximum number of floors, and setbacks. These adjustments are essential in ensuring that residential structures can better withstand the impacts of tropical cyclones and floods. By implementing these precise zoning changes, you aim to create safer and more resilient living environments for the community, reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events.

   The zoning amendments are as follows:

   • Minimum Floor Height—Increase the minimum floor height requirement for new residential constructions located within flood-prone areas. Set a specific elevation standard, such as elevating the lowest floor to at least 1 meter above the base flood elevation (BFE). This ensures that homes are less susceptible to flood damage.
   • Maximum Number of Floors—Limit the maximum number of floors allowed in residential structures in cyclone-prone regions. For example, restrict new developments to a maximum of two or three floors or 6-9 meters to reduce vulnerability to strong winds and storm surges.

   The property setback amendments are as follows:

   • Front Setbacks—Enforce larger front setbacks to create more distance between residential buildings and roadways or waterfronts. Implement an increased setback of at least 5 meters to serve as a buffer zone during cyclones and flooding events, reducing the risk of structural damage.
   • Rear Setbacks—Similarly, implement extended rear setbacks for properties backing onto water bodies or flood-prone areas. Provide an additional setback of at least 7 meters to offer more protection against flooding and allow for better stormwater management.
   • Side Setbacks—Adjust side setback requirements to ensure adequate space between neighboring buildings, reducing the risk of wind damage caused by cyclones. Consider increased setbacks of at least 3 meters for corner lots or properties in particularly vulnerable locations.

   To implement these amendments, you'll modify the residential zoning type.

   For lot coverage, the goal is to limit the total lot coverage to ensure adequate onsite detention of water. The lot coverage amendments are as follows:

   Zone	Impervious Area Permitted
   Commercial A	80 percent
   Commercial B	70 percent
   Commercial D	50 percent
   Community Development	70 percent
   Designated Use	10 percent
   General Industry	60 percent
   Recreation Space	0 percent
   Residential B	30 percent
   Special Use	70 percent

6. Close the pop-up. If necessary, on the ribbon, click the Zoning button.
7. Click the Zoning and overlay types button.

   

   The side panel shows two tabs, Zoning types and Overlay types. The Zoning types tab is open by default and lists the zoning types for the plan.

8. Next to the Residential B zoning type, click the Configure button.

   

   The Zoning type: RB - Residential B (existing) window appears.

9. Click the Regulation tab.

   

10. Enter the following parameters:
    • For Floors, type 3.
    • For Height, type 10.
    • For Tiers and Setbacks, click Add tier and click Tier 1.
    • For Front interior setback, type 5.
    • For Front street setback, type 5.
    • For Side interior setback, type 3.
    • For Side street setback, type 3.
    • For Rear interior setback, type 7.
    • For Rear street setback, type 7.

    

11. In the Zoning type window, click OK. In the Modify existing message, click Yes.

You have edited the parameters of a flood resilience overlay on the map by setting the height and coverage. You have also defined the setbacks for the overlay and set the description accordingly.

Locate suitable parcels and add buildings

Your objective is to identify parcels within the study area that are situated outside the flood-prone zone. You'll prioritize residential parcels far from the flood zone, close to green space, and those that don't exceed maximum height or lot coverage for development. In these areas, you'll increase density and allow for mixed use development to accommodate potential displacement of the residential and commercial parcels impacted by floods.

The selection criteria for the parcels include the following:

• Parks and green spaces—Prioritize parcels with easy access to parks and green spaces, enhancing residents' quality of life and providing recreational opportunities. A distance of 400-800 meters equates to a 5-10 minute walk time.
• Building height—Select parcels with building heights of 10 meters.
• Lot coverage—Select parcels not exceeding max lot coverage for development.
• Parcel elevation—Prioritize parcels out of flood zone with elevations greater than 8 meters.
• Distance from flood—Selected parcels must be out of the flood risk zone.
• Zoning—Prioritize parcels in Residential (RB) zone.

Create a suitability model

To evaluate the parcels' suitability for redevelopment, you'll use the suitability tool.

1. On the ribbon, click the Analysis tab.
2. On the Analysis panel, click New and choose Suitability.

   The Suitability 2 pane appears.

3. For Name, type UPzoning suitability model to rename the suitability model.

   

   Next, you'll add criteria to the model.

4. For Criteria, click the Add criteria button.

   The Criterion panel appears.

5. For Name type Building height.
6. For Source, click External layer. For External layer, click the edit button.

   

7. In the Select external layers window, click Filters:2. Click My organization and set the portal to All.
8. In the search box, type suvaparcels. In the list of results, click the SuvaParcelsOriginalHeight feature layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.

   

9. Click Next and click Select.
10. From the Field drop-down menu, choose Est_Height. For Intersect with, click Parcel centroid.

    

    You have entered the criteria for parcel height in the suitability model. Next, you'll reclassify the values onto the same 0 to 10 scale that you used earlier to ensure all layers in the analysis use the same classification scale, with 0 being unsuitable and 10 being most suitable.

11. Ensure that the Reclassification toggle is turned on and press the Add interval button twice.

    

    This parameter must be turned on if you are using an external layer.

12. For the second interval, for Start, type 10.1. For End, type 18.

    

    Setting an interval's start value automatically sets the same value for the preceding interval's end.

13. For the first interval, for Score, type 10. For the second interval, for Score, type 1.

    

    This reclassification simplifies the situation by selecting all parcels with a maximum building height of approximately 10 meters.

14. On the Building height panel, click the back button.

    

    The Building height criteria is added to the suitability model. Every time you add and configure a layer in the suitability model, it will appear here.

Add zoning criteria

Next, you'll add the zoning criteria to the suitability model.

1. Click Add criteria. Set the following parameters:
   • For Name, type Zoning.
   • For Source, click Zoning.
   • For Field, choose Zoning type.

   

2. Click Add value to add the first zone type.

   

3. Click Add value nine more times to add all the zoning types that are within the study area.

   

   The labels for the zone types appear in the list. All the scores are set to zero by default. You'll assign scores to each zoning type.

4. For each zoning type, edit the Score value as follows:
   • For CA, CB, CD, and CDV, type 5.
   • For DU, GI, PRF, RS, and SU, keep the value 0.
   • For RB, type 10.

   

5. On the Zoning panel, click the back button.

   

   You have added building height and zoning as criteria in the suitability model.

Add remaining criteria

Next, you'll add four more criteria to the model: distance from flood, lot coverage, parcel elevation, and proximity to parks.

1. Click the Add criteria button. For Name, type Distance from flood.
2. For Source, click External layer and click the edit button.
3. Click Filters:2. Change the portal to All.
4. Search for and select the SuvaParcelsFloodRisk layer owned by Esri_Tutorials. Click Next and click Select.
5. For Field, choose MOD_FLOOD_INT.

   

   Next, you'll assign start and end values and scores for the distance from flood criteria.

6. Under Reclassification, for Intervals, click Add interval twice.
7. For the second row, set the Start value to 1 and the End value to 3.
8. For the first row, set the Score to 10.

   

9. On the Distance from flood panel, click the back button.

   

   Now you have three criteria layers added to the suitability model. Next, you'll add the parcel elevation criteria. You'll use the same parcels layer that you used for the building height criteria, but you'll choose a different attribute to address elevation.

10. Click the Add criteria button. For Name, type Parcel elevation.
11. For Source, click External layer. For External layer, click the edit button.
12. Click Filters: 2 and set the portal to All. Search for and select the SuvaParcelsOriginalHeight layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.
13. Click Next and click Select.
14. For Field, choose max_Level_Int.

    

15. Under Intervals, click Add interval four times.

    

    You'll assign start, end, and score values for each interval.

16. Set the following Start and End values for each interval as follows:
    • Interval 1: 0.01 - 1.36
    • Interval 2: 1.36 - 7.76
    • Interval 3: 7.76 - 8.76
    • Interval 4: 8.76 - 9.76
17. Set the Score for each interval as follows:
    • Interval 1: 2.5
    • Interval 2: 5
    • Interval 3: 7.5
    • Interval 4: 10

    

18. On the Parcel elevation panel, click the back button.

    

    Now you have four criteria layers added to the suitability model. Next, you'll add the lot coverage criteria.

19. Click the Add criteria button. In the Criterion panel, for Name, type Lot coverage.
20. For Source, click External layer. For External layer, click the edit button.
21. Click Filters: 2 and set the portal to All. Search for and select the Suva Study Area Percent Impervious By Parcel layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.
22. Click Next and click Select.
23. For Field, choose Impervious.
24. Under Intervals, click Add interval four times.
25. Set the following Start and End values for each interval as follows:
    • Interval 1: 0 - 0.69
    • Interval 2: 0.69 - 1.9
    • Interval 3: 1.9 - 2.9
    • Interval 4: 2.9 - 3.9
26. Set the Score for each interval as follows:
    • Interval 1: 2.5
    • Interval 2: 5
    • Interval 3: 7.5
    • Interval 4: 10

    

27. On the Lot coverage panel, click the back button.

    Now you have five criteria layers added to the suitability model. The last criteria layer you'll add to the suitability model is for proximity to parks.

28. Click the Add criteria button. For Name, type Proximity to parks.
29. For Source, click External layer. For External layer, click the edit button.
30. Click Filters: 2 and set the portal to All. Search for and select the Distance from parks 400 and 800 m layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.

    Note:

    To filter search results by owner, you can type owner:Esri_Tutorials at the end of your search.

31. Click Next and click Select.
32. For Field, choose BUFF_DIST.
33. For Intervals, click the Add interval button twice.
34. Set the following Start and End values for each interval as follows:
    • Interval 1: 400 - 600
    • Interval 2: 600 - 801
35. For interval 1, set the Score value to 10. For interval 2, set the Score value to 8.

    

36. For the Proximity to parks panel, click the back button.

    

    You have all the criteria. Next, you'll assign weights to the criteria. Weights allow you to assign a relative importance to each criteria. For example, parcel elevation may be more important than proximity to parks. For this analysis, you'll assign zoning a higher weight and all the remaining criteria will be treated equally as important.

37. In the UPzoning suitability model pane, for Criteria, set or verify that all criteria have a Weight value of 1, except for Zoning. Set the Weight value for Zoning to 2.

    

    When you modify the weight of a single criterion, it affects its significance in relation to all the other criteria. This adjustment is reflected in the percentage values of all the other criteria. If needed, you can exclude certain criteria from the calculation by unchecking the check box next to their names.

38. Click Run.

    Above the map, there is a suitability slider that you can drag to select suitable parcels. The further you drag the slider to the right, the more parcels will be selected and the further you drag the slider to the left, the less parcels will be selected.

39. Experiment with dragging the slider to see how the selection is affected.
40. When finished experimenting, drag the slider so there are 33 parcels selected.

    

41. On the UPzoning suitability model pane, click the back button to return to the Analysis pane.

Create multiple buildings

Now that you have identified the most suitable parcels based on your criteria layers, you'll develop buildings on them. You'll begin developing the buildings as the next step in the workflow.

1. On the ribbon, click the Development tab.
2. On the Development tab, in the Planned development on selected parcels (33) section, click Modify and choose Apply multiple building types.

   

   The Apply multiple building types panel appears. Here, you can determine the types of buildings that you want to add to the plan.

3. For Planned development, for Target, type 0.

   

4. Click Add building type to view the types of buildings that you can create.

   

   You'll add a variety of building types and define the percentage for each. Earlier in the tutorial, you set height limits for the parcels, so you'll create a mixed-use neighborhood of low-rise buildings.

5. From the list of building types, add the following types:
   • Low-Rise Office w/ Retail
   • Low-Rise Residential
   • Low-Rise Residential w/ Retail

   

   The building types you chose appear in the Planned development list. All the target percentages are zero. You must enter the percentages of each building type that you want to add. The total must add up to 100 percent. This percentage indicates the likelihood of the respective building type being assigned to any of the selected parcels.

   Note:

   If the sum does not equal 100 percent, the percentage values are redistributed automatically to equal 100 percent when you apply the building types.

   Next, you'll update the target percentages to create for each building type.

6. For each building type, for the Target value, type the following:
   • Low-Rise Office w/ Retail—24%
   • Low-Rise Residential—38%
   • Low-Rise Residential w/ Retail—38%

   

7. Click Apply multiple building types.

   

   The view is updated and shows the parcels with the configured building that you selected.

   

   The buildings appear in the view. To make it easier to see the buildings, you'll enable 3D.

8. On the vertical toolbar beside the map, click the Tilt the view button to view in 3D.

   

9. Right-click and drag to tilt the view so you have a good oblique perspective on the neighborhood and its buildings.

   

10. Close the Apply multiple building types panel by clicking the close button.

    

    You have quickly developed some buildings for the mixed-use neighborhood. The Current and Target percentages do not match. When you enter a target for each building type, Urban will do its best to match that, given the specifications you provided for the parcels, so they may not always exactly match.

Create a custom building type

The next objective is to address redevelopment in regions susceptible to coastal flooding. To achieve this, you'll introduce a new building design tailored to endure floods. Coastal inundations often lead to substantial and expensive damage, particularly affecting the building's foundation, basement, and lower levels. When buildings are flooded at ground level and the foundation is compromised, the extent of damage becomes even more severe.

The study area has a BFE of approximately one meter, which means that structures in the area must be constructed or elevated so that the lowest floor is at least one meter above the ground level to minimize the risk of being inundated during a 100-year flood event.

Your initial task involves creating a space use type that you will apply to specific building elements, such as open foundations (pile or pier) designed to withstand any potential flood scenario. See ThinkHazard for more information.

1. With the Development tab active, click the Building and space use types button.

   

   A side panel appears, showing two tabs: Building types and Space use types.

   

   The Building types tab is open by default and lists the building types you recently added to the plan.

2. Click the  Space use types tab.

   

   The available space use types for the plan appear.

   

   Next, you'll add a space use type that is specific to this plan.

3. Click the add button.

   

   The  New space use type window appears.

4. For the new space use type, enter the following information:
   • For Label, type OF.
   • For Name, type Open Foundation.
   • For Default floor height, type 2.
5. Click OK.

   The new space-use type appears in the list of space use types and has a proposal flag next to its name.

   

   Note:

   The default color of the Open Foundation space use type may vary.

   Next, you'll create a building type using the Open Foundation space use type.

6. Click the Building types tab and click the add button.

   

   The New building type window appears.

7. For Name, type Flood Resilient with Open Foundation.

   Next, you'll specify the building parts for the building type in the Building parts configuration section.

8. In the Building parts configuration section, click the add button to add the first building part.

   

9. For Space use type, choose Open Foundation.

   

10. In the Building parts configuration section, click the options button and choose Add part above.

    

    A second part appears in the Building parts configuration section.

    

11. For the second part, set Space use type to Other.

    

12. Click OK.

    

    The Flood Resilient with Open Foundation building type appears in the list and is tagged as Proposal.

13. Close the panel for building and space use types.

    

    Next, you'll apply the building type you created to the parcels in the flood risk zone. First, you'll select them.

14. On the top vertical toolbar, click the Advanced selection tool. From the blue ribbon, choose the Rectangle select tool, and draw a box around the parcels in the flood zone near the coast.

    

    Note:

    If you can't select all the parcels with a box, you can press the Shift key and click other parcels to select them.

15. On the blue ribbon, click Done.
16. On the Development tab, click Modify and choose Apply building type.

    

17. From the list of building types, choose Flood Resilient with Open Foundation.

    

18. Clear the selection by clicking off a parcel, such as in the water. If necessary, click Done.

    

    The first part of the parcels are modified and symbolized as flood resistant buildings.

    Your plan combines various building types that adhere to the redevelopment standards. You've successfully created a viable plan that transforms the area into a mixed-use neighborhood while also enhancing climate resilience.

Site a community resilience hub

Next, you'll find an ideal location to site a community resilience hub. This location would typically be a community center, but during emergencies it would serve as a central location for resource distribution and services.

The following are some criteria to help identify potential sites: the site should be within walking distance of residential areas, not within a greenfield but on a property that has a large amount of impervious area (preferably no existing buildings), far away from the flood hazard area identified, and close to other community facilities or located within a public facility, such as a park.

To evaluate the parcels' suitability for a community resilience hub, you'll use the parcel suitability tool as you did earlier.

1. On the ribbon, click the Analysis tab. On the Analysis tab, click New and then click Suitability.

   The Suitability 3 pane appears and shows the criteria from the UPzoning suitability model. Since this suitability analysis has different criteria, you'll create a new suitability model and add criteria.

2. For Name, type Community resilience hub.
3. For Criteria, click the Add criteria button.

   The Criterion panel appears.

4. For Name, type Flood risk.
5. For Source, click External layer and click the edit button.
6. In the Select external layers window, click the Filters:2 button and change the portal to All. Search for and select the SuvaParcelsFloodRisk layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.
7. Click Next and click Select.
8. For Field, choose MOD_FLOOD_INT.
9. For Intervals, click the Add interval button twice.
10. For interval 2, set the Start value to 1 and the End value to 3.
11. For interval 1, set the Score to 10.

    

    You have added the flood risk criteria. Next, you'll add the criteria for impervious area.

12. On the Flood risk panel, click the back button.
13. On the Community resilience hub panel, click Add criteria button. In the Criterion panel, for Name, type Impervious area.
14. For Source, click External layer and click the edit button.
15. Click the Filters:2 button and change the portal to All. Search for and select the Suva Study Area Percent Impervious By Parcel layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.
16. Click Next and click Select.
17. For Field, choose Impervious.
18. For Intervals, click the Add interval button twice.
19. Set the following Start and End values for each interval:
    • Interval 1: 0 - 0.69
    • Interval 2: 0.69 - 1.9
20. For the second interval, set the Score value to 10 and click the Impervious area panel's back button.

    

    Next, you'll add the parcel area criteria. For this criterion, you won't use an external layer, but will use the parcel option as the source for the criteria.

21. Click Add criteria. For Name, type Parcel area.
22. For Source, click Parcel. For Field, choose Parcel area.
23. Click Add interval three times. Set the intervals as follows:
    • Interval 1: 0 - 5,000
    • Interval 2: 5,000 - 7,000
    • Interval 3: 7,000 - 10,000
    • For interval 1, set the Score value to 3, for interval 2 set the Score value to 5, and for interval 3, set the Score value to 10.

    

24. On the Parcel area panel, click the back button.

    Finally, you'll add the proximity to amenities criteria.

25. Click Add criteria. For Name, type Proximity to amenities.
26. For Source, click External layer and click the edit button.
27. Click the Filters:2 button and change the portal to All. Search for and select the WalkTimesAmenities5to10mins layer owned by Esri_Tutorials.
28. Click Next and click Select.
29. For Field, choose ToBreak.
30. Click Add intervals twice.
31. Set the following Start and End values for each interval:
    • Interval 1: 5 - 7.5
    • Interval 2: 7.5 - 11
32. For interval 1, set the Score value to 10. For interval 2, set the Score value to 5.

    

    You have added all the criteria to the suitability model for the community resilience hub. Next, you'll select the most suitable parcels.

33. On the Proximity to amenities panel, click the back button.
34. Click Run to select suitable parcels.

    

35. Adjust the blue slider to the left until one parcel is selected.

    

    One parcel is selected that best meets all the criteria for the location of the community resilience hub.

Develop the community resilience hub

The community resilience hub provides the tools for spatial analysis and scenario modeling, allowing for adjustments to the plan that will shape a more climate-resilient future for the area. First, you'll subdivide the parcel.

1. With the Development tab active, click the Edit parcels button.

   

2. Zoom to the selected parcel.

   

3. On the blue ribbon, click the Split button.

   

4. Draw a line to split the parcel by clicking outside of the parcel on one side and double-clicking outside of the selected parcel on the other side.

   

   Note:

   You can split the parcel however you want but note that the images will not match your screen.

5. On the blue ribbon, click OK and click Done.

   

   The parcel is split based on the line you digitized. Next you will apply a building to the parcel.

6. On the Develop tab, click Modify and choose Apply building type.

   A list of available building types appears. If you select a parcel that already has an assigned building type, it will be highlighted in the list. Currently, there are no building types assigned to this parcel.

7. For Select building type, click Flood Resilient with Open Foundation.

   

   The building is updated in the view.

   

   Existing buildings intersecting the selected parcel are demolished to make way for the building that you assigned. The plan is complete. Next, you'll analyze the changes you are proposing to validate zoning types, space use types, and capacity indicators for the proposed development plan.

8. On the ribbon, click the Zoning tab.

   The proportions of the different zoning types in the scenario appear.

   

   Note:

   The values for zoning, space use types, and capacity indicators may differ from your values.

   Here, you can analyze how much of each zoning type exists in the proposed plan. For example, you may have to include a specified amount of green space in an area. You can check the proportions here.

9. Click the Development tab and view the Space use proportions on the Develop tab.

   

   The proportions of the different space use types in the scenario appear. You can analyze the area for each space use type and adjust the plan as needed.

You have successfully created a zoning plan for Suva with the goal of making it more resilient to climate challenges, while fostering a mixed-use neighborhood. You began by setting up the plan, considering climate factors, and then you edited zoning regulations to allow for diverse uses. You implemented these changes by developing new buildings that aligned with the vision for a vibrant, mixed-use, and climate-resilient neighborhood. Finally, you analyzed the plan to ensure it aligns with the initial goals.

You can find more tutorials in the tutorial gallery.

Acknowledgements

• Parcel and zoning data provided by the Fiji Ministry of Lands and Mineral resources.
• Zoning data provided by Fiji's Department of Town and Country Planning.
• Flood layers derived from SRTM DEM and local tide gauge/NOAA data.