Methodology

5-Layer Scoring System

Physical — built form, density, green cover, mobility infrastructure.
Environmental — air, noise, climate resilience, biodiversity.
Social — demographics, equity, services access, community fabric.
Economic — employment, retail mix, affordability, innovation activity.
Governance — planning instruments, citizen participation, transparency.

Composite = weighted mean of layer scores. Default weights are equal; Deep Dive lets clients override.

Indicator Categories

~80 indicators across the 5 layers. Each indicator records value, unit, source URL, year, and confidence label. See the indicators table for the live list.

NEB Alignment (JRC139118)

We implement the European Commission's New European Bauhaus Compass methodology (JRC139118) verbatim, scoring three pillars on 0–100 with the JRC working ambition levels.

Beautiful — aesthetics, identity, cultural heritage.
Sustainable — circularity, climate, ecology.
Together — inclusion, participation, affordability.

Every pillar score carries an evidence array citing real sources. Empty evidence → no score.

Placemaking Suitability

Adapted from PPS Place Diagram: Sociability, Uses & Activities, Access & Linkages, Comfort & Image, plus a fifth "Identity" sub-score for European context. Average produces the placemaking score.

Balanced Score Card

For monitoring clients, scores roll up into a 4-quadrant BSC: Liveability, Resilience, Equity, Economic Vitality. Delta tracking flags movement > 5 points.

Academic References

European Commission JRC (2024). NEB Compass — JRC139118.
Project for Public Spaces. Place Diagram.
Kaplan & Norton (1992). The Balanced Scorecard.
UN-Habitat (2020). Global Public Space Programme.