Wurman Dots: Visualizing Object Density

Wurman Dots is a method for visualizing geospatial data by creating clusters based on a regular grid (square or hexagonal). This approach is used to represent object density, using a point layer as the input data.

To automate this process, we developed the Wurman Dots plugin for QGIS. Here’s how it works: provide a point layer as input, select the grid shape, and specify the grid cell size. After running the algorithm, you’ll get two new layers:

• Fixed circles, where the size corresponds to the grid cell dimensions.
• Actual Wurman Dots (variable circles) – these represent the density of objects within each corresponding grid cell.

The method was first described by American graphic designer Richard Saul Wurman in the 1960s in his book Urban Atlas: 20 American Cities.