Plan for urban change in Cancún

Parque de la Equidad is a current urban planning project in Cancún, Mexico. Existing open space will be converted into a 16-kilometer public park running through the city. The Strategic Projects Agency (AGEPRO) of the state of Quintana Roo and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have been collaborating on the Equity Park Master Plan since October 2019. Their goals are to increase access to green spaces and reduce urban segregation and social inequality. AGEPRO and UN-Habitat want to visualize the effects of different planning scenarios and better understand their impacts on the city so they can make redevelopment choices wisely.

In this tutorial, you'll use ArcGIS Urban to design changes along one segment of the new park and visualize their effects. You'll focus on one small area, but you'll use a workflow that can be repeated to design more scenarios, and to plan for other strategic areas along the park.

This tutorial was last tested on December 12, 2023.

Requirements

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

• ArcGIS Urban

Create an urban model

ArcGIS Urban is a 3D scenario planning application that allows you to design new scenarios and compare their impacts to the current situation. It also allows you to share your vision with others. To accomplish these things, you need to create an urban model. The urban model ties together all of the data and plans for an area. It also makes your plans accessible to others through a public view.

Create an urban model

To prepare for your new planning project, you'll choose the area of interest in this section, add existing parcel and zoning layers, and create an urban model.

1. Sign in to ArcGIS Urban.
2. For Create a new model, click on Set up.

   

3. For 1. Choose model location, in the search box type Region 96, Benito Juarez, Quintana Roo and press Enter.

   

   The map zooms to the project location in Mexico. You'll accept the default coordinate system.

4. For 4. Parcels, click Import from feature layer.

   

5. In the From feature layer: Parcels window, click My content and choose ArcGIS Online. In the search box type Cancun Parcels owner:Learn_ArcGIS and press Enter.

   

6. Click on Cancun Parcels layer and click Next.

   The fields are automatically matched.

7. Click Next.

   1,554 parcels were validated and will be added to your urban model.

8. Click OK.
9. For 5. Zoning, click on Import from feature layer.

   You already have an existing feature layer for Cancún's zoning, with colors chosen for each zoning type. You can import the types directly from this layer, which saves you time from populating the zoning types spreadsheet template.

10. In the From feature layer symbology: Zoning window, replace existing text with Cancun Zoning owner:Learn_ArcGIS and press Enter.
11. Click the Cancun Zoning layer and click OK

    Note:

    Both the parcel and zoning polygons used in this tutorial are fictional and do not reflect the actual parcel boundaries or zoning designations of the city of Cancún. These datasets were modified from city block data provided by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI).

12. Click Create Urban Model.

    The urban model is a space where you'll develop and experiment with different scenarios to imagine how changes to zoning or space use might affect a city. An urban model must be configured with all of the data and planning regulations of the city of Cancún before you can begin to design and assess scenarios. The configuration of an urban model is not a small task, but is only done once for a city, and reused for all future plans. While creating the model you already set the parcels and zoning types. You will continue to set other parameters in the tutorial.

    In this tutorial, you'll only do a minimal amount of configurations to learn how to set up your own urban model later.

    When the urban model is created, it zooms to the location you set while creating the model. Hence every time you open the model, it will open on your study area.

Set up building layer layer

The data manager allows you to add, edit, and configure data in ArcGIS Urban. You can access the data manager using the Manage button. In this section you will change the city name and add an existing building layer to your model. To learn more about the other options, refer to the Manage general settings documentation.

1. On the ribbon, click the Manage button.

   

   The data manager appears. Here you can add, edit, and configure the data and settings for your urban model.

2. Under General, for City name type Parque de la Equidad

   

   Since you already set the view in the previous section you can skip setting the current view.

   Next you'll add base data to your project.

3. Under Schematic visualization, for Existing buildings, click the edit button.

   

4. Click My content and choose ArcGIS Online to change the search space.
5. Search for Cancun Buildings owner:Learn_ArcGIS.
6. In the search results, click the card for the Cancun Buildings layer and click OK.

   

   The layer is added to your urban model. It contains a 3D representation of the existing buildings in your study area.

   Note:

   The building data is fictional and does not reflect actual buildings in Cancún.

7. On the ribbon, click on Return to overview.

   

   The 3D buildings that you added as base data appear on the map.

   

So far in this tutorial, you have created an urban model and set some of its properties, but you still have to import spatial and tabular data about Cancún before you can use the model to design new scenarios.

Import planning data

Space use types, building types, and zoning types all help to define what changes can or can't be made in your study area. You already added the zoning types while creating the urban model. Next, you'll add space use types and building lists of types to your urban model. Then, you'll find and explore the already added spatial data for parcels and zones.

Import space use types

A space use defines the activities and intended purposes of a building or a portion of a building. Examples of space use types include residential single-family, retail, and medical. Next, you'll add a list of space use types to your urban model.

1. If necessary, reopen your Parque de la Equidad urban model.
2. On the ribbon, click the Manage button.

   

3. On the ribbon, click System of records and click Space use types.

   

4. Click Add and click From spreadsheet.

   

5. Click Download template.
6. Find and open the downloaded space-use-types.xlsx file.
7. If necessary, at the bottom, click the SpaceUseTypes tab.

   

   The spreadsheet lists 15 space use types and defines parameters for each of them, for example, color and floor height. This is a template file provided by ArcGIS Urban and not the real space use types defined by the city of Cancún. You can edit this file to match your city's information. For this lesson, you'll use the template file without changes.

8. Close space-use-types.xslx.
9. In ArcGIS Urban, in the From spreadsheet: Space use types window, click Choose file and select space-use-types.xlsx.

   A list of fields appears. Because you used an unaltered template, they are already matched properly to the fields in the spreadsheet.

   

   Note:

   Make sure that Units in Source is set to Metric.

   

10. Click OK. When the features have been validated, click OK again.

    The urban model is now populated with 15 space use types.

Import building types

Next, you'll import building types. Because building types are dependent on space use types, space use types must be added first.

A building type allows you to visualize typical structures to help you understand what your study area might look like as you experiment with different planning scenarios. Each building type allows for different space use types within that building.

1. On the ribbon, click System of records and click Building types.

   

2. Click Add and click From spreadsheet. Click Download template.

   Like the space use types spreadsheet, building-types.xlsx should be edited to match your city's information. For this lesson, you'll continue with the unaltered template.

3. Click Choose file and select building-types.xlsx.
4. Click OK to load the building types.
5. When the features have been validated, click OK again.

   Your urban model is now populated with a variety of building types.

6. On the Mid-Rise Residential w/ Retail row, click the options button.

   

   The configuration of this building type appears.

   

   This building type makes use of three space use types.

7. In the diagram, click each component and observe its values.

   You'll use this building type later in your design. It allows for a maximum of four underground levels of parking and 12 floors of residential space, above one floor of retail space.

8. Click Cancel.

Add a custom building type

You'll add a new building type for more flexible mixed use.

1. Scroll to the top of the building types list. Click Add and choose Single item.

   

2. For Name, type Residential with Cultural. For Type, choose Building.
3. On the Building Parts Configuration diagram, click the add button.

   

   A rectangle appears on the diagram, representing a new building form.

4. For Space use type, choose Cultural.
5. On the diagram, click the options button and choose Add part above.

   

   A second rectangle appears above the first.

6. For Space use type, choose Residential Multi-Family. For Number of Floors, type 4 for minimum and 8 for maximum.
7. Click OK.

   Building types can also be added and modified later, when you are working on designing scenarios.

Explore and update zoning types

You have now added space use types and building types. These dictate how the space within buildings can be used. Next, you'll explore the zoning types, which dictate how areas of land can be used. You added the zoning types while creating the urban model. You can add or edit existing zoning type based on your usage.

A zoning type defines the allowed land uses on a piece of land. Examples of zoning types include industrial, single-family residential, and downtown core. A zoning type may only allow a single kind of land use, such as open space, or it may allow several compatible land uses, such as residential and commercial.

1. On the ribbon, click Systems of records and click Zoning types.

   Eight zoning types are added to your urban model.

   

   It was faster to add the Cancún zoning types from feature layer symbology than from a spreadsheet, but not all of the parameters that you need were imported. The other parameters must be set manually.

2. Next to MFR, click the options button.

   

   The Multi-Family Residential (MFR) zoning type is intended primarily for apartment buildings and condominiums. Next, you'll set restrictions for land with this zone type.

3. In the Zoning type: MFR - MFR (existing) window, in the Parameters tab, set the following parameters:
   • For Floors, type 10.
   • For Coverage, type 75.
   • Under Allowed space use types, choose Residential Multi-Family and Retail.

   

   Coverage is the percentage of the parcel area that is covered by any structures. Setting coverage to 75% ensures that at least 25% will remain for green space around the buildings.

   The goals of the Equity Park Master Plan are to encourage mixed-use development in Cancún. Fortunately, the MFR zoning type allows for several space use types.

4. Click OK.

   Next, you'll modify the Mixed Use (MXD-65) zoning type. This one will allow for an even greater variety of space uses.

5. On the MXD-65 row, click the options button. Click on the Parameters tab..
6. Scroll to the bottom. For Allowed space use types, add the following:
   • Medical
   • Office
   • Parking
   • Residential Multi-Family
   • Retail

   

7. Click OK.

   Now that you've defined zoning types, you are ready to explore a zoning layer. This defines the boundaries of the different zones in your study area.

8. On the ribbon, click System of records, and click Zoning Boundaries.

   

   Zoning boundaries reference zoning types and define the geographical extent of zoning code restrictions. You add zoning types first.

   There were 232 zoning boundaries added to your urban model when the zoning layer was selected while creating the model. You will see them later, when you begin designing a new scenario.

   You have added one more piece to your model. Parcels are lots of land with separate ownership.

9. On the ribbon, click System of records, and click Parcels.

   1,554 parcels were added to your urban model.

10. On the ribbon, click the Return to overview button.

    The parcels appear as gray polygons on the map, under the 3D buildings.

    

    You also added zoning polygons; these will not be visible until later, when you work on a zoning plan.

You've now populated your urban model with the framework of data you need to begin planning scenarios. The polygons and lists of types that you've imported are the building blocks that you will now experiment with editing, to design possible changes to one part of the city.

You've only added basic information to this urban model, and that will be enough to complete this tutorial. But if you want to do robust planning for Cancún or any other area, you'll need to add more detailed information.

Design a scenario

To begin designing a new scenario for your study area around Equity Park, you'll create a zoning plan. Plans support long-term planning activities and help quantify how proposed changes contribute to a city’s estimated targets, such as housing demand or population growth capacity.

A new park is a great addition to a city. However, an intentional change such as this can cause further unintentional changes. For example, the land bordering the park may suddenly become valuable real estate for large single-family homes. By redesigning the urban area at strategic areas along the park, the Equity Park Master Plan aims to ensure that more commercial and living spaces will be available next to the park, not fewer. Its goal is to ensure that any new development that happens will benefit the city as a whole.

Create a zoning plan

An urban model can contain many plans for different projects in your city. Each plan can contain many scenarios. Next, you'll create a zoning plan to experiment with reassigning zoning types in your study area.

1. If necessary, reopen your Parque de la Equidad urban model.
2. On the ribbon, click the Add button and click Zoning plan.

   

   A blue ribbon appears, prompting you to draw a study area for the new zoning plan.

3. If necessary, click the Parcels button to include the parcel data in this plan.

   Before you define your plan area, you'll make sure you are working on a top-down view of the city.

4. In the bottom of your screen, click the Tilt the view button until it says 3D. Click the Set heading north button.

   

5. Click the map to draw a rectangle surrounding the parcel data. Double-click to finish drawing.

   

6. On the side pane, for Name, type Parque de la Equidad and click OK.

   

   The new plan may take a few minutes to generate. Once it has been added to your urban model, the zoning plan appears.

7. On the ribbon, click on Parque de la Equidad, in the drop down menu click on Configure plan.

   

   The Detail card window appears.

8. In the Detail card window, set the following parameters:

   • For Description, type Plan for the urban area surrounding one section of the new Equity Park in Cancun, Mexico.
   • For Webpage URL, copy and paste https://www.onuhabitat.org.mx/index.php/parque-de-la-equidad.
   • For Start Date, choose July 8, 2023. Uncheck End date same as start date.
   • For End Date, choose July 12, 2028.

   

9. Click Return to plan.

   

Edit zone types next to the park

Scenarios are different versions of a plan that contain design and planning decisions. Scenarios provide a design space where different ideas can be shared and evaluated. With a scenario, you can show others what an area will look like if certain changes were made, capture feedback on those changes, explore other options, and ultimately make decisions about urban growth strategies and policy.

Next, you'll edit a scenario to observe the effects of rezoning parcels alongside the Parque de la Equidad. You'll change some of the areas zoned as Single-Family Residential to Multi-Family Residential and Mixed Use. You hope that this will increase the number of people who can have easy access to the park, and also encourage commercial development.

At the top of the pane, a toggle button shows two scenarios: Existing and Scenario 1.

1. Make sure Scenario 1 is the selected scenario.

   

   The Existing scenario cannot be modified. It represents the current conditions of the study area. Scenario 1 can be edited to explore future possibilities for the area. You'll work on modifying this scenario next.

   The zoning data that you added earlier is present on the map.

   

   The strip of polygons labeled C are zoned for Conservation and represent Equity park. Next, you'll change the zoning types for some areas along the park. The parameters of the zone type determine what kinds of building forms are permitted on the parcels within the zone.

2. On the ribbon, click Zoning.

   

   A list of zone types for your study area appears.

   

   ArcGIS Urban helps you to interpret zoning codes by translating them into 3D visualizations that you can interact with and manipulate. For your first scenario, you'll experiment with creating a variety of multifamily residential and mixed-use zones around the linear park. You want the park to become a meeting place for downtown residents, and that will be more likely if people live, work, and shop in the buildings alongside the park.

3. On the map, click the Single-Family Residential (SFR) polygon that is immediately to the south of the largest SFR polygon.

   

   You'll rezone this area as Multi-Family Residential.

4. In the pop-up, click Modify.

   

5. In the Modify zoning window, set the following parameters:

   • Click the drop down arrow for SFR-SFR and choose MXD-65 - MXD 65 (mixed use).
   • Uncheck Merge adjacent boundaries of the same type.

   
6. Click OK and close the pop-up.

   On the map, the color updates for your selected area.

   

7. Similarly, on the map, select each of the six SFR polygons to the south of the one you just modified. In the pop-up, click Modify and change their zoning type to MFR - MFR (Multi-Family Residential). Uncheck Merge adjacent boundaries of the same type.

   

8. Change the remaining SFR polygons that border the park (except for the largest polygon). Change their zoning type to MXD-65 (Mixed Use).

   

   You've now diversified the zone types alongside Equity Park to ensure that more people will be able to live and work near to the park.

   There are two parcels bordering the park that are not zoned for Single-Family Residential. One is zoned as Recreational, and contains sports fields. This use is already consistent with the plan's goals. The Industrial area contains an electric utility site, which may not be feasible to move. This site also employs people, so it may increase access to the park for some people who do not live next to it.

Merge parcels

You've now modified some of the zone polygons next to the park. Next, you'll modify some of the parcel polygons. You'll combine some of the smaller parcels next to the park into larger parcels. This allows for larger developments, for example, a shopping center.

1. On the ribbon, click the Development tab.

   

2. Beside the map, on the vertical toolbar, click on Edit parcels.

   

   You can now edit the parcels in your study area. You'll start by merging several parcels into one, otherwise known as land assembly.

3. On the map, locate the MXD-65 parcels immediately below the large SFR parcel. Select the five parcels immediately south-west of the intersection of Calle 8 and Calle 121 Norte. Press and hold the Shift key to select multiple parcels at once.

   

4. On the Edit geometry toolbar above the map, click Merge.

   

5. In the Merge selection window, click Merge.

   Note:

   It is possible to undo your edits using the undo button on the ribbon beside the plan name.

   The five parcels are changed into one.

   Most of the parcels next to Equity Park already contain buildings, so choosing which parcels to merge and redevelop with larger buildings will not be easy. Offering more places to live and work can provide benefits to the community, but will come at the cost of displacing some people and businesses. Not all of the parcels may be available for redevelopment or purchase, and it can be difficult to predict what the growth rate of the city will be in the future. An area may be rezoned for a specific kind of development, and then fail to attract that kind of development.

   Suitability models, expert opinions, and collaboration with the community can help to make these choices. ArcGIS Urban can help to visualize and measure the potential impacts of a scenario on the city, if it were to be implemented.

6. Click Done.
7. On the vertical toolbar, click the Advanced selection button.

   

   The Advanced selection toolbar appears.

8. Click the Freehand select tool.

   

9. Draw a line through the eight parcels to the south of the ones you just merged to select them.

   

10. On the Advanced selection toolbar, click Done.
11. On the toolbar next to the map, click the Edit parcels button, and click Merge twice. Click Done.
12. Similarly, select all of the parcels in the southernmost block on the west side of the park.

    

13. Merge all parcels in this block into one and click Done.

    Merging parcels allows for larger retail and mixed-use development, connecting the population to economic opportunity and reducing urban sprawl.

    Next, you'll apply building types to the parcels. Building types will allow you to visualize what redevelopment might look like if your scenario were to be adopted by the city.

Redevelop parcels

Next, you'll develop buildings on some of the parcels in your study area. You'll apply a mix of building types to the mixed-use parcels you just created.

1. If necessary, on the ribbon, click the Development button.
2. Select all of the MFR and MXD-65 parcels that border the park.

   Tip:

   To select multiple parcels, press and hold the Shift key or use the Advanced Selection tools.

   

3. On the side pane in the Develop tab, click Modify and choose Apply multiple building type.

   

4. In the Apply multiple building types pane, click on Add building type and choose Mid-Rise-Residential.

   

5. Also add the following building types:

   • Mid-Rise Residential w/ Retail
   • Mid-Rise Office w/ Retail
   • Low-Rise Residential w/ Retail
   • Residential with Cultural

   

   The percentage represents the probability with which the corresponding building type is assigned to one of the selected parcels.

6. In the Target column, apply a percentage value of your choice considering they add up to a 100% and when finished click Apply multiple building type.
   
7. Tilt and pan on the map to view the new buildings.

   

   ArcGIS Urban has allocated a random set of buildings to match the targets you set and the zoning types it has available. Your buildings will appear in a different combination than in the images in this tutorial. You allocated some of the area to remain unchanged, so some of the parcels show the existing buildings.

   These buildings help you to visualize what the city might look like if this scenario were adopted and if developers took advantage of the new zoning map.

   Next, you'll customize the random assignment of buildings.

8. Close the Apply building types pane.
9. Select one of the Multi-Family Residential parcels. It does not matter whether it has a building on it.
10. In the Develop tab and click Modify and choose Apply building type.

    A list of building types appears. You'll filter this list to include only those building types allowed in this zone.

11. Next to the search bar, click the Filter button.

    

12. Check Allowed on selected parcels and click Apply filters.

    The list of building types is now shorter.

13. Click Retail Urban Development Store.

    A new building appears on the map.

    

    These buildings represent plausible building forms, to help you to imagine what your proposed changes might look like on the ground.

You've now created an urban model, a plan, and one scenario of that plan. Plans normally contain multiple scenarios, which are compared against one another to weigh their relative drawbacks and benefits. For now, you'll share your plan with its single scenario, so you can get some initial feedback.

Share a plan with the public

Planning benefits from feedback and contributions from the people who live and work in the affected area. It also helps to build community investment in any changes that are eventually adopted. Next, you'll share your plan and set up feedback categories to make it easy for people to help you improve your plan.

Publish the plan

After you create or edit a plan, you can make the scenarios visible to others. When you publish the plan, the scenarios are exported as web scenes and web maps, and made available to other people through the ArcGIS Urban overview.

1. If necessary, reopen your urban model. Open the Parque de la Equidad plan to Scenario 1.
2. On the ribbon, click Parque de la Equidad and click Share plan.

   

   The Sharing tab opens.

3. In the Sharing window, set the following parameters:
   • For Collaboration, under Who can edit?, uncheck Enable editing for non-owners.
   • For Set sharing level, click Everyone (public).

   

   You can set the other options as per your choice, Make sure to first disable editing for non-owners to view the share to everyone option.

4. On the ribbon, click Return to plan followed by Return to overview.
5. Under the search bar click on Plans.

   You will see a Public tag on the plan you shared.

   

Enable public feedback

Providing different methods to solicit feedback on proposed projects and developments allows more voices to be heard. For example, people who were unable to attend a city council meeting can still contribute to the plan by providing online feedback. ArcGIS Urban encourages online civic engagement by enabling participation from hard-to-reach demographic groups.

Next, you'll enable public feedback for your urban model and set up feedback categories to provide additional context to the feedback you receive.

1. On the ribbon, click the Manage button.

   

2. On the ribbon, click on Discussion, and in the drop-down menu click Public engagement.

   

3. Under Public engagement, click Enabled.

   

4. On the ribbon, click Discussions and choose Feedback categories.

   

5. Click the Configure button.

   The Feedback categories window appears.

6. Click Add Category.

   

7. Click New category and set the following parameters:.

   • For Name, type Question.
   • For Icon, choose the icon with the question mark.

   

   You'll add another category for comments.

8. Click Add category and click New category to edit it.
9. For Name, type Comment.
10. For Icon, choose the second to last icon from the list.

    

11. Click OK.
12. On the ribbon, click Return to overview.

    You've enabled public feedback on your urban model. Next, you also need to enable it on your plan.

13. On the map, click the red point to open your plan.

    

14. On the ribbon, click Parque de la Equidad and click Configure plan.
15. On the ribbon, click on Discussion and click Public engagement.
16. Under Public engagement, click Enabled.
17. Click the Feedback tab. For Public Engagement, click Enabled.

    

    Now that you've enabled public feedback, anyone can leave comments or questions on your plan. They do not need to sign in to an ArcGIS account.

18. Click Return to plan.

Provide feedback on the plan

1. On the ribbon click on Discussion.

   

   The Discussion pane appears.

2. In the Add your comment text box, type Test comment.
3. Click the Select a category button and select the Comment category.

   

4. Click and drop the pin to place it somewhere on the map.
5. Click Submit.

   Your plan is now ready to receive feedback, which you'll use to develop further scenarios.

In this tutorial, you designed changes to the urban area surrounding one section of the new Equity Park in Cancún, Mexico. You started by building a new urban model and importing data for the city. You added polygons for zoning and parcels in your study area, and tables for space use types, building types, and zoning types.

After building an urban model, you created a plan for your study area. You designed one scenario for how that area could change by reassigning zoning types and merging. You then simulated buildings to help visualize what those changes might look like on the ground. Finally, you enabled public feedback to allow others to contribute to your plan.

You can continue to add scenarios to this plan to try different ideas until you settle on one that meets the needs of the Equity Park Master Plan and the people in that neighborhood. You can also add more plans to the same urban model to work on designs for other areas along the park.

You can find more tutorials in the Learn ArcGIS Tutorial Gallery.

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to the UN-Habitat team: Javier Torner, Jane Muriuki, Helio Buba, Princesse Samba, and Myriam Azar.
• The National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI) provided city block data (Cartografía Geoestadística Urbana y Rural Amanzanada and Cierre de la Encuesta Intercensal 2015) which was modified to create the fictional zoning and parcel data used in this tutorial.