The application of GIS to analyse occupier chains and property market filtering

Greenhalgh, Paul and King, Helen (2010) The application of GIS to analyse occupier chains and property market filtering. Project Report. RICS, London.

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Abstract

The project sought to investigate whether Geographic Information Systems (GIS) could enhance the representation and analysis of property occupier chaining data. It exploited an existing dataset of office and industrial occupier chains in Tyne and Wear and used GIS to illustrate, measure and analyse the chaining data more effectively than had previously been possible. We have been able to demonstrate that, although time consuming, it is a relatively straightforward and logical process to translate property occupier chaining data into a GIS. The resultant GIS representation was able to replicate and verify findings of the original research. For example, it confirmed the accuracy of the original calculation of the distances that occupiers move, but it also revealed that the average distance moved diminished the further that they occur along a chain. Using density mapping, it was possible to identify the location of ‘hotspots’ of office and industrial market excitation. The mapped data was also able to reveal the hollowing out of Newcastle and Sunderland CBDs. Rateable Value and VAT registration datasets were used to interpret the origin of occupiers of new office and industrial developments and the location of vacant chain end property. Of the two, the strongest correlation was with VAT registrations within a three year period. This indicator is associated with economic activity and enterprise that would generate new businesses or start-ups that would typically take up small office and industrial units, thus absorbing vacant accommodation and contributing to property market filtering. The application of GIS to property occupier chaining data was successful. It enhances our understanding of commercial property market dynamics and occupier displacement and can characterise the locations where occupiers relocate from and where property voids are created. The property chaining GIS has potential not only to evaluate the spatial impact of previous property market interventions but to inform the strategies that shape future ones.

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