Weighted spatial pattern and neighborhood

In the previous unit, you have learnt the spatial patterns and neighbourhoods of features, based on the assumption that the space is homogeneous. Therefore, you can move throughout the space freely to any direction at the same amount of energy, time, cost etc.

In this unit, the space will be considered as heterogeneous. There is friction to your movement. This friction can be translated as cost, energy, attractiveness, time etc.. Firstly, time will be considered. If you are moving from town A to B through the highway, you use less time than through the footpath. The friction of the highway is lower than the friction of the footpath. This friction can be presented as weight. The higher the weight, the more preference you have. Although the distance along the highway may be longer than the footpath, the time distance is shorter. Therefore, the highway will be given higher weight and the footpath will be given lower weight in considering time of movement.

The weight value can be given to spatial objects based on preference, cost, energy, time etc. In this unit, you will learn about weighted spatial patterns and neighbourhoods of point features, line features and areal features.

Download the PDF version of the graphic and animation presentation of this unit.