The article discusses the prospects and advantages of using QGIS for solving spatial planning tasks. Attention is focused on the strengths of QGIS compared to other geographic information system software and the programme’s potential to eliminate the monopoly position in the market by well-known geographic information system software manufacturers. Even though QGIS is open-source software, this software product is generally not inferior to expensive geographic information system software. At the same time, the advantages of QGIS include cross-platform, rich functionality, the ability to use different geographic information databases, and the ability to connect and integrate various plug-ins into the programme. Particular attention should be paid to the ability to independently write plug-ins for solving specific highly specialised tasks in the Python programming language and their quick integration into the QGIS software environment. Examples of QGIS software for solving specific spatial planning problems are given. The possibilities of using QGIS in solving the issues of settlement planning, territory management, land management and environmental monitoring are considered. The conducted research gives grounds to recommend QGIS for wide application by developers of project documentation, as well as by executive authorities and local self-government bodies for analysing cartographic and project materials in making management decisions. This approach will help create a competitive environment among developers of urban planning and land management documentation. After all, today, many specialists cannot afford expensive commercial licenses of well-known geographic information system software developers. And any legislative requirements that oblige them to use them in practice lead to monopolisation of the market for these services by individual enterprises. At the same time, it has been proven that using the open-source geographic information system software QGIS will not lead to a deterioration in the quality of project documentation. The programme can ensure the proper quality, accuracy and interoperability of design and mapping materials created with its help and solve a wide range of tasks in spatial planning.

The study aimed to develop a methodology for determining zones of intra-field heterogeneity for precision farming. In this study, we took into account the Belarussian national land use system which provides for the absence of private ownership of agricultural land. The spatial distribution of intra-field heterogeneity zones within the land use area of 7549.49 thousand hectares was identified using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The algorithm for determining zones of spatial heterogeneity provides for: (1) the selection of indicators and their ranking; (2) developing a pairwise comparison matrix, (3) estimating relative weights and (4) assessing matrix consistency. It is recommended to use data from agrochemical soil studies which are conducted centrally every 4 years for each agricultural enterprise as input parameters. These data include the humus content in the soil, the content of available phosphorus and potassium, soil pH, and the content of B, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg. The data should be carefully examined using spatial statistics tools to provide a more accurate delineation of the management-zones boundaries. The developed technique makes it possible to determine fertile and marginal areas within each field and differentiate the use of fertilizers, taking into account the presence of intra-field heterogeneity. This will reduce the total cost of purchasing and applying phosphorus fertilizers by 34 $·haE−1 and potash fertilizers by 9 $·haE−1 due to the redistribution of the fertilizer dose calculated for the planned yield, taking into account the identified site-specific management zones. At the same time, the level of chemical pressure per hectare of arable land will decrease by 6.7% without loss of crops productivity.

Many studies have unveiled the importance of variation in residential property values overtime, but failed to cover different types of residential property value and location. The aim of this research is therefore to model residential property rental value in Bida from 2015 to 2020 with the aid of Geographic Information System (GIS). The study focused on the rental values of the residential property and rental value variation across space. Data collected for this paper includes residential rental values and geographic coordinates from 196 residential properties in the study area, comprising 101 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom apartments. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation tool of ArcGIS was employed in analysing the data. It was found out that the core areas of the town commands lower rental values while the southern part of the town commands higher rental values. It was also found out that one bedroom apartment is the most dominant residential rental property followed by the two bedroom apartments and three bedroom apartments respectively. Geospatial database was produced for each model in a bid to ascertain the level of changes with time. The benefits associated with the application of GIS technology were established by this research and recommends its application to other property values modelling.

Land management and improvement of computer technologies in land use are one of the most important tasks of the state; their effective implementation is closely linked to the widespread implementation of modern achievements of information technology. The achievement of the maximum transparency of the processes is vital in the field of geo-information and spatial data resources during increasing the reliability and manageability of the infrastructure.

The article shows results of compiling recommendation land use maps for land use and land resources management of the university experimental farm “Velykosnitynske”. Large-scale GIS mapping of experimental farms allows to improve land use and decision making, prepare recommendations to solve land management issues, planning of technology processes and efficient crop growing technology. Compiled recommendation maps are aimed to assist in rational land use planning and sustainable development of the territory.

In order to preserve protected areas and to reduce their devastation, it is important to know the most common violations of these areas. The created map will provide the information about areas where the damage occurs most often. The Nemunas Loops Regional Park was selected for the research, the main aim of which was to identify the most common violations and the most problematic areas. The objectives of this research were to carry out a detailed analysis of violations in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park and protected areas for 2007- 2014 period of time and to create a dot distribution map of these violations. The main tasks were the following: 1) to review the aim of the Nemunas Loops Regional Park establishment, prohibited and promotional activities, 2) to carry out the classification of violations in these areas during 2007-2013 according to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania, 3) to group the violations of 2007-2013 according to the timing and to create a dot distribution map in order to provide its application possibilities. The study led to the following conclusions: most violations were made contrary to the requirements of the protected areas (Clause 76). For instance, arbitrary constructed mobile homes, environmental pollution, violations of visiting regime in the nature reservation, water protection requirements (Clause 55), parking a car in the protected area of the water reservoir, agricultural land, storing agricultural equipment which is not used etc. The map highlights the most problematic areas where violations occur every year. These are: Punios Šilas Strict Nature Reserve and the areas around it, Pociūnai and Balbieriškis towns, Birštonas. In 2014 the form of reports was changed and it was not possible to analyse the violations in detail. It was a negative factor for this research because no accurate violations and areas could be recorded. For this reason the map was not created. 230 various violations happened in the Nemunas Loops Regional Park during the period of 2007-2014. The created map can be used as an additional measure for prevention of violations.

The article shows that the rapid technological changes in the field of topographic, geodetic and cadastral activities that have occurred in recent decades, significantly affect the nature and content of work to be performed by future engineers in the field of geodesy and land surveying. The directions of adaptation of the content of geodetic and land surveying education to the needs of the national and world market of engineering services are considered. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS), laser 3D-scanning and operational mapping using unmanned aerial vehicles will have a decisive impact on the development of the industry in the near future. Paper maps are being replaced by multimedia devices that display dynamic map content tailored to a specific consumer. During the study, the student must get acquainted with all the most advanced technologies that will determine the future of the industry in the medium term to be ready for their practical application. A modern university lecture should be designed so that the student can hear only what he or she cannot find on the Internet. The aim of the article is to try to comprehensively generalize and analyse global trends and prospects for the development of topographic and geodetic, cadastral, registration and evaluation activities, as well as to determine on this basis the adaptation of geodetic and land management education to the needs of national and global engineering services.

The main objective of this study is to review and evaluate three common interpolation methods namely: Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Ordinary Kriging (OK), and generate maps of soil pH using these methods. The accuracy and efficiency of the generated maps have been examined as well as the most fitting technique for estimating spatial distribution of soil pH in the study area is identified. Studies were conducted within the limits of land use of RUP “Uchkhoz BGSHA” (Republic of Belarus, Mogilev region, Goretsky district). The total area of the surveyed territory is 3197.89 hectares. For the analysis data is used about pHKCl of soil solution obtained from materials of an agrochemical survey executed in 2014. Forecasting and visualization of the spatial distribution of pH sub(KCl) was carried out using the Geostatistical Analyst module of the ArcGIS software. The experimental anisotropic variograms were calculated to determine the possible spatial structure of soil pH. Based on cross-validation results, a polynomial function was identified as the best variogram model. The model created by the method of radial basis functions turned out to be the most suitable for forecasting purposes (the value of the root-mean-square error was 0.763). In terms of interpolation accuracy, the investigated deterministic and geostatistical methods are located in the next descending row: RBF greater than IDW greater than OK.

The main purpose of data mining in private and public sector institutions is to process and analyse data with the aim of generating reliable information for decision-making. Decision-making performance is determined by the availability of the relevant data and the user’s ability to adapt that data for analytical purposes. The popularity of spatial statistical tools is on the rise owing to the complexity of the analysed factors, their variation over time and their correlations with the spatial structure. Popular models should be applied in demographic analyses for the needs of the spatial planning process. The availability of high-resolution data and accurate analytical tools enhances the value of spatial analyses, and the described models can be universally applied to support the decision-making process. The aim of this study was to present the applicability of selected spatial statistical models for analysing demographic data in the planning process and to identify the main advantages of these models.

The possibilities of using the geospatial analysis methods for visualizing land monitoring data and modelling the spatial distribution of the main agrochemical soil indicators are discussed in the article. The research was conducted within the limits of land use of RUP “Uchkhoz BGSHA” (Republic of Belarus, Mogilev region, Goretsky district). The total area of the surveyed territory was 3187.0 hectares. The geospatial analysis of the spatial distribution of humus, mobile phosphorus, mobile potassium and pHKCl was carried out using the Geostatistical Analyst module of the ArcGIS software. Semivariograms were used as the main tool for studying the structure of the spatial distribution of agrochemical indicators. The exponential function was identified as the best variogram model, the type of the circle was standard, the type and the number of sectors was 4 with a displacement of 450, and the lag was 200 metres. The interpolation accuracy was determined from the mean error (ME), mean square error (RMSE) and standard error (RMSS). The universal kriging method was used to perform the forecast and visualize the spatial distribution of agrochemical indicators. The multivariate analysis was performed using the functionality of the Raster Calculator tool, Principal Component analysis and Maximum Likelihood Classification. The search and determination of areas of sites with the most optimal agrochemical indicators were carried out by the multifactor analysis in the GIS environment. Calculation of the area of each circuit within the limits of working parcels was carried out using the utility "Zone Statistics".