NatureScot
NatureScot set out to create an innovative digital platform to support natural capital planning across Scotland. The goal was to make complex geospatial and environmental data accessible and usable for a broad range of users, from policy makers to land managers, through a single, intuitive interface. The Natural Capital Tool provides an interactive, map-based experience where users can define areas of interest, explore layered datasets, and model potential changes to understand their impact.
Project highlights
Simplified complex data and mapping workflows into a clear, intuitive user experience.
Built advanced mapping capabilities, including interactive layers, area editing, and before-and-after visual comparisons.
Collaborated across public and private teams to deliver a scalable cloud-based solution using AWS serverless architecture.
Challenge
The project required translating highly complex, multi-layered geospatial datasets into a usable product for non-technical users. There was no existing benchmark for this type of tool, and the platform needed to balance usability with technical depth. Key challenges included handling large spatial datasets, enabling real-time scenario modelling, and maintaining performance as users interacted with multiple layers, geometries, and interventions across increasingly large land areas.
Approach
Through a series of co-design workshops and continuous user feedback, we developed a guided four-step workflow that simplifies complex decision-making into a clear, structured experience. We built an interactive mapping platform using React and MapLibre, enabling users to draw, upload, and edit areas of interest, explore layered spatial data, and model interventions directly on the map. This required handling complex map interactions, including managing multiple data layers, and a scenario feature that allows users to save, reload, and modify complete project states.
Outcome
The result is a widely adopted digital platform with over 300 users, providing a new way for organisations to explore and plan land use through a natural capital lens. The tool has generated strong engagement from stakeholders and secured continued investment for further development, with plans to expand beyond Scotland into wider UK use cases.
Project summary
Designed and delivered a cloud-based geospatial platform that enables non-technical users to explore complex environmental data, model land-use changes, and understand their impact through an intuitive interface.
Stack & delivery
We'd love to hear about it. No pitch deck needed.
