Gathering

The Gathering category defines how contextual information enters the computational environment.
It structures the acquisition, reading, and organisation of heterogeneous datasets so they can be processed within the node system.

Gathering is divided into three main groups:

Each group reflects a different type of data integration logic.

Gathering Design Tools

This group focuses on spatial and environmental data directly related to urban form and territory.

It supports the integration of:

  • Street-level imagery
  • GIS vector datasets
  • Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
  • Point clouds (LiDAR / LAS)
  • Street and transport networks

These data types describe physical, morphological, and infrastructural conditions of the built environment and are typically spatially referenced.

Gathering Data Tools

This group integrates structured, non-spatial datasets commonly used in data analytics and modelling.

It supports:

  • Tabular data (CSV)
  • Structured data objects (JSON)
  • DataFrames and Series

These formats enable attribute-based operations, statistical analysis, and structured data manipulation within the same computational environment.

Gathering Supporting Tools

This group enables direct retrieval of information from web-based sources.

It supports:

  • Downloading datasets via URLs
  • Accessing public APIs

These mechanisms allow automated integration of online data without leaving the node-based workflow.

Structural Role

The Gathering category ensures:

  • Compatibility between heterogeneous data formats
  • Integration of spatial and non-spatial datasets
  • Structured data objects ready for downstream computation
  • Iterative refinement of data sources when required

It defines the entry point of the computational workflow and provides the foundation for analysis, generation, and visualisation.