The present research analyses the epidemiological bases, the methodology approach and the utility of the Geo-Covid Cartographic Platform to face COVID-19 transmission at an intra-urban scale.  Geo-Covid is based on the study of the main drawbacks and limitations of the current risk maps, and the proposed hazard mapping methodology is presented as an alternative approach with a high spatial-temporal accuracy. It is based on 1) the map of neighborhood active focuses of contagion, which are classified according to several hazard indexes, 2)  the map of highly-transited areas by potential asymptomatic positives cases and 3) the map of Points of Maximum Risk of contagion. In order to test the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for mapping COVID-19 hazard and risk, it has been applied to Málaga City (Spain) during several stages of the epidemic in the city (2020 and 2021). The neighborhood focus of contagion is proposed as the basic spatial unit for the epidemiological diagnosis and the implementation of mitigation and control measures. After the analysis, it has been concluded that the proposed methodology, and thus, the maps included in the Geo-Covid Cartographic Platform allow a realistic and rigorous analysis of the spatial distribution of the epidemic in real-time.

The objectives of this paper are (a) to incorporate vegetation cover into quantitative techniques for identifying and classifying urban landscape types, (b) to implement a methodology to analyse the urban landscape units of three zones in the Mediterranean coastal area and (c) to design a methodology that could be extrapolated to other urban spaces with a similar type and spatial scale. To achieve the objectives, the urban landscape units are characterized in three Mediterranean coastal municipalities in the south of Spain, in the province of Málaga: Benalmádena, Marbella and Manilva. The characterization is based on some of the most representative variables of the urban morphology, such as construction density, road density and building height, also incorporating the presence of vegetation cover, both arboreal and herbaceous and shrub. Data were obtained from the Spanish Cadastral (urban morphology variables) and through remote sensing techniques (vegetation), spatial analysis tools and multivariate analysis were implemented to obtain the characterization and spatial delimitation of the urban typologies. As a result, six clusters are recognized with predominant urban landscape typologies. The proposed procedure is a useful tool to segment the city following landscape criteria, as well as to assess the changes experienced in urban spaces.

Natural lighting is a fundamental element in the habitability of dwellings. However, it is still difficult to calculate its effect on the façades of the buildings in detail, due to the morphological complexity of the property itself, as well as the environment that surrounds it. This study provides a methodological proposal that uses pre-existing open data to extrude buildings by using a GIS procedure. Based on three selected real estate properties with different characteristics in the city of Marbella (Spain), the hours of sunlight received by each building’s façade are calculated, taking into account the digital land model and the digital surface model of the area. The results confirm the usefulness of the method to measure and analyze differences in luminosity between buildings with similar urban characteristics and their surroundings, as well as to record the differences in luminosity between floors and the orientations of the same building at several heights. The methodological proposal opens a path for many applications related to energy efficiency, housing conditions, and property valuation.

There are few studies that have developed estimations of the vulnerability of the population to isolation as a result of flood events. The main objective of this study was to provide a methodological proposal that addresses this matter through a series of cartographic instruments. To this purpose, the method was tested in a study area classified as area with significant potential flood risk (ARPSI) in southern Spain. Three methodological proposals were designed to define: (1) the population likely to be isolated within the flood area; (2) the population liable to be isolated by cuts to access roads outside the flood area; (3) the main workplaces involving concentrations of population likely to be isolated. The results demonstrate that the study area has a high degree of vulnerability to the flood risk. The methodological proposal provides detailed results at local level, which is a highly functional tool for flood risk managers. This research shows that, just as in the case of hazard, a deep and detailed knowledge of vulnerability and its consequent problems leads to a better management of flood risk.

Since the 1960s, the productive model of Málaga has been pointed toward tourism. The redevelopment of the historic centre of the city and the increasing specialization of some areas in services linked to tourism have created several negative consequences on the habitability and the identity of those areas. This work aims at developing a methodology that allows measuring, individually, the spatial influence and intensity of gentrification and touristification. The final goal is join together both urban processes in a map, also including the evolution of their variables over time. The method allows delimiting areas where both processes overlap. The results show a strong gentrification and touristification in the historic centre of Málaga, also observed along the main road axis and the coastline. In addition, touristification is higher in the areas adjacent to the historic centre whereas gentrification is observed in squares with special architectural characteristics.