The Science of Tooling – Design Framework for Digital Tools in Support of Socio-Spatial City Analysis

Abstract

In the context of the digital transformation of cities, the application of data-driven tools has become a common practice in urban studies and metropolitan research. Beyond their appropriate utilisation, their targeted design poses challenges as well. Unlike established practices in the engineering and design domains, there are only few processes established that support the targeted creation of analytical or synthetic instruments for the processing of urban data. Therefore the paper outlines a framework for a design science of digital tools that address the socio-spatial complexities of urban systems. It does so by discussing four key aspects whose investigation and integration is requisite for devising instruments applicable for urban research, planning, and decision making. The outlined methodology provides a systematic approach for the design of digital city tools as well as an educational blueprint to enable next-generation digital city scientists to understand the structure of such instruments as well as their implications for practical work. The consolidation of digital tooling thus forms a central component in data-driven urban planning and analysis i.e. Digital City Science.