Irregular Area Cartograms for Local-Level Presentation of Selected SDGs Indicators Based on Earth Observation Data

The objective of this study is to explore the applicability of irregular area cartograms for the visualization of sustainable development indicator components, utilizing earth observation (EO) data. The analysis focuses on selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 ‘Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ and SDG 13 ‘Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts’) and specific targets and indicators related to green urban areas and air quality (targets: 13.2, 11.6, and 11.7; indicators: 11.6.2., 11.7.1., 13.2.2.). A comprehensive review of the relevant literature indicates that irregular area cartograms are employed only sporadically in the context of SDG monitoring, particularly at lower levels of territorial division (i.e., communes and counties). To address this gap, a series of thematic maps, including choropleth maps and irregular area cartograms, was developed. These visualizations are based on EO-derived datasets and supplemented with statistical information obtained from the Local Data Bank of the Statistics Poland. The analysis demonstrates that irregular area cartograms provide an effective means of visualizing spatial disparities in variables such as urban green space availability and air pollution at the commune and county levels. These visualizations enhance the interpretability of complex indicator structures and support more nuanced assessments of progress toward selected Sustainable Development Goals, especially in spatially detailed analytical frameworks. Preliminary usability testing among potential users revealed that irregular area cartograms are perceived as an interesting visualization technique that enhances data interpretation.