GOAT First Steps
Introduction to Spatial Analysis with GOAT
Welcome to GOAT, the web-based GIS platform for data-driven urban, transport and environmental planning.
GOAT helps you analyze accessibility, calculate indicators, and compare scenarios – all in a collaborative, web-based environment. From initial questions to meaningful maps, GOAT supports informed planning decisions.
What Will You Learn from This Tutorial?
After completing this tutorial, you will be able to:
- create your own GOAT projects
- add and manage data
- apply key indicators and tools
- interpret and share results as maps and dashboards
This tutorial is practice-oriented: you'll learn not only where to click, but why certain analyses make sense.
👉 Yes – you will be able to translate data into clear, meaningful maps and dashboards.
Learning by Doing: Supermarket Accessibility in Mannheim
As a comprehensive example, we'll analyze how well residents of Mannheim can reach supermarkets on foot.
You will learn:
- to calculate accessibility
- to interpret catchment areas
- to visualize differences between neighborhoods
- to make results useful for planning decisions
What You Need
Before you start:
- A GOAT account (register here)
- Interest in spatial questions
- ~45 minutes time
Tutorial Overview
| Step | Topic | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 10 min |
| 2 | Create & Prepare Project | 15 min |
| 3 | Understand & Create Catchment Areas | 15 min |
| 4 | Share Map | 3 min |
| 5 | Tutorial Completed! | 2 min |
Who Is This Tutorial For?
This tutorial is aimed at:
- Urban, transport and environmental planners
- Public authorities and consulting companies
- Researchers and students working with spatial data
- Anyone with basic GIS interest who wants to apply accessibility-based analysis in practice
The focus is on planning logic, interpretation and application – not on technical GIS theory.
Further Learning & Inspiration
If you want to dive deeper into a tool or need a different explanation:
📚 Complete Documentation - Comprehensive guides to all GOAT functions
🎥 GOAT's Youtube Channel - Detailed technical videos on every tool
🗺️ Map Gallery - Inspiring projects created with GOAT