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QGIS pypopRF Plugin Documentation

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About pypopRF

pypopRF is a comprehensive population mapping tool developed by the WorldPop SDI Team. It transforms your input data into detailed population distribution maps using advanced machine learning techniques. The plugin combines census data, building information, and various spatial constraints to create highly accurate population estimates.

💡 Technical Foundation: The plugin is built on the pypopRF Python package, which provides the core computational functionality. While the plugin makes these tools accessible through a graphical interface, advanced users can also use the Python package directly for more customized workflows.

⚠️ Note: For advanced features and detailed technical documentation of the underlying algorithms, please refer to the pypopRF documentation.

Key Features

Core Functionality

  • 🗺️ High-resolution population distribution mapping
  • 🤖 Machine learning-based prediction using Random Forest
  • 📊 Advanced dasymetric mapping techniques
  • 📈 Comprehensive statistical analysis

Advanced Features

  • 👥 Age and sex structure mapping
  • 💧 Water mask integration
  • 🏗️ Building footprint constraints
  • 🚀 Parallel processing support
  • 📋 Real-time progress monitoring
  • 🎯 Customizable processing parameters

How It Works

graph TD
    Init[Initialize Project] --> InputA[Load Census Data]
    Init --> InputB[Load Mastergrid]
    Init --> InputC[Load Covariates]

    subgraph "Optional Inputs"
        InputD[Water Mask]
        InputE[Constraints]
        InputF[Age-Sex Data]
    end

    InputA & InputB & InputC & InputD & InputE & InputF --> Config[Configure Settings]
    Config --> Process[Run Analysis]

    Process --> ML[Machine Learning]
    ML --> Pred[Population Prediction]

    Pred --> NormA[Basic Normalization]
    Pred --> NormB[Constrained Normalization]

    NormA --> PopA[Population Distribution]
    NormB --> PopB[Constrained Distribution]

    InputF --> AgeMap[Age-Sex Distribution]

    style Init fill:#dcedc8,stroke:#558b2f
    style Process fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#ff6f00
    style ML fill:#e1f5fe,stroke:#0277bd

Plugin Interface

pypopRF Plugin Interface
Main plugin interface with enhanced features

Key Components:

Project Tab: Initialize project and manage settings

Input Data Tab: Configure required and optional data files:

  • Census data (required)
  • Mastergrid (required)
  • Covariates (required)
  • Water mask (optional)
  • Constraints (optional)
  • Age-sex structure data (optional)

Settings Tab: Adjust processing parameters:

  • Parallel processing options
  • Block processing settings
  • Census field mappings
  • Output preferences

Console: Monitor progress and view detailed logs

Control Panel: Start/stop analysis and track progress

Analysis Results

The plugin generates multiple output layers showing different aspects of the analysis:

Normalized Census

1. Normalized Census
Census-adjusted values

Unconstrained Population

2. Unconstrained Population
Basic population distribution

Constrained Population

3. Constrained Population
Distribution with spatial constraints

Additional Outputs

  • 📊 Age-Sex Structure Maps: When age-sex data is provided
  • 📈 Feature Importance: Analysis of predictor variables
  • 📝 Processing Logs: Detailed analysis records
  • 🤖 Model Files: Saved for future use

Processing Features

✅ Enhanced Processing

  • Multi-threaded computation
  • Block-based processing for large datasets
  • Progress tracking for each step
  • Memory-efficient operations
  • Robust error handling

⚠️ Important Considerations

  • Ensure consistent coordinate systems across all inputs
  • Verify data quality and completeness
  • Monitor system resources during processing
  • Regularly backup project files
  • Consider memory requirements for large datasets

Support and Resources

About WorldPop SDI

The WorldPop Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Team at the University of Southampton specializes in:

  • High-resolution population mapping
  • Spatial demographics
  • Open-source geospatial tools
  • Machine learning for population estimation
  • Demographic data integration

License

The QGIS pypopRF plugin is released under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

Next Steps:
- Installation Guide
- Quick Start Guide
- User Interface Guide