Mapping the issues

Visualising the data gathered in the workshops can help to communicate the challenges and opportunities at a neighbourhood-level in relation to the energy transition. Using maps and images can be very impactful and can also be integrated within Community-led Energy Action Plans.

Data visualisations can also be used by the neighbourhood group as a tool to engage with the community and wider stakeholders to present the potential for energy transition solutions in their area.

Oldham Energy Futures used the data mapped during the workshops, using analogue maps and flags, to create a Google Map which communicated the challenges, opportunities and solutions identified by both groups across each energy theme. These maps were used to revisit the energy themes at the end of the diagnose phase, integrated into the Community-led Energy Action Plans, and featured on the Westwood and Sholver data dashboards.

This type of data can be used to complement technical data produced through processes such as Local Area Energy Planning. Mapping this data can enable the technical analysis of opportunities to be tested against the experiential data generated through the CLEP process. This can help stakeholders with responsibilities for the delivery of the energy transition to identify opportunities which align with both their decarbonisation ambitions and the priorities of the neighbourhood group.

Maps for Westwood and Sholver were produced by translating data harvested during the workshops onto Google Maps. Data points were colour coded by theme and include text descriptions.