gridmappr: An R package for creating small multiple gridmap layouts

We present gridmappr , an R package that automates the process of generating gridmaps – small multiple data graphics of regular size, laid out with an approximate geographic arrangement. Given a set of real geographic point locations, gridmappr allocates points to a regularly sized grid of stated row–column dimensions. This allocation is constrained such that the distance between points in real and grid space is minimised and with a parameter that affects how compactly points are allocated to the regular grid. For geographies with features such as large bodies of water, fixed spacers can be introduced – reserved cells that cannot be allocated points. Layout examples are presented using different parameterisations, and code for generating a family of information-rich glyphmap and origin-destination maps is demonstrated using standard ggplot2.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science
Published
2025-09-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23998083251374737
Primary Topic
Data Management and Algorithms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

gridmappr: An R package for creating small multiple gridmap layouts

Martijn Tennekes, Jo Wood, Roger Beecham
Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science
Data Management and Algorithms
article

gridmappr: An R package for creating small multiple gridmap layouts

Martijn Tennekes, Jo Wood, Roger Beecham
article en

Abstract

We present gridmappr , an R package that automates the process of generating gridmaps – small multiple data graphics of regular size, laid out with an approximate geographic arrangement. Given a set of real geographic point locations, gridmappr allocates points to a regularly sized grid of stated row–column dimensions. This allocation is constrained such that the distance between points in real and grid space is minimised and with a parameter that affects how compactly points are allocated to the regular grid. For geographies with features such as large bodies of water, fixed spacers can be introduced – reserved cells that cannot be allocated points. Layout examples are presented using different parameterisations, and code for generating a family of information-rich glyphmap and origin-destination maps is demonstrated using standard ggplot2.

Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science
University of Leeds (GB), Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (NL), City, University of London (GB)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 70%
Data Management and Algorithms
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

gridmappr: An R package for creating small multiple gridmap layouts — Martijn Tennekes, Jo Wood, et al. · Environment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS