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title: "Areas"
canonical: "https://networkconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/NC/1914765970/Areas"
format: markdown
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> Macro (toc)

> ℹ️ **Permissions**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ You must be a SCADA_ADMINISTRATOR or a PLANNER to create, modify, or delete areas.

# What is an area?

An area is a collection of network objects that are located within the boundaries of the area. When you create an area, you define the boundaries and the system traverses the network to determine what objects are included in the area.

# Area List

Tap the **Areas** option in the main menu to view a list of areas in the network. You can switch between the list view and the map view of an area.

# Area boundaries

Areas are bounded by regulators. When a boundary is defined, you must specify whether the boundary is *Upstream* or *Downstream* so that the area generator knows how to traverse the area to find other area objects.

> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ You must specify at least one upstream regulator. Specifying a downstream regulator is optional. If you don't specify a downstream regulator your area will extend to the edge of your network.

- An *Upstream* boundary is a regulator that is at the upstream border of the area. That is, water flows into the area at this regulator.
- A *Downstream* boundary is a regulator that is at the downstream border of the area. That is, water flows out of the area at this regulator.

## Can areas overlap?

Areas can overlap and a network object can belong to many areas.

# Top Regulators

A Top Regulator is a variable upstream water source. A Top Regulator is  used as the starting point for network traversal, which DMS performs for example for demand calculations and for some reports. You would usually set the furthest upstream boundary regulator in your area as the top regulator.

# Area types

If you are using areas for different purposes, you can define different area types.

> ℹ️ **Examples**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ You could use different area types to:
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ - Define areas to assign control of orders for an area to a specific planner.
> ℹ️ - Define areas to assign responsibility for maintenance in an area to a specific field crew.
> ℹ️ - Define areas for reporting.

Area types are defined in the Object Types module in Rubicon DMS or SCADAConnect Forms. NetworkConnect uses whatever types that you have already configured.

# Creating an area

> ℹ️ **Permissions**
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ You must be a SCADA_ADMINISTRATOR or a PLANNER to create, modify, or delete areas.

1. Tap the  **Add** button at the bottom right of the Area List.
2. Fill in the following details:

- **Area Name** - pick a meaningful area name
- **Area Type** - Pick the area type from the dropdown list. The types available will be those that you have set up in the Host application Object Types module.
- **Upstream Boundaries** - You MUST add at least one upstream boundary regulator. Pick the regulator from the dropdown list or use the search tool.
- **Top Regulators** - In general, you should set the most upstream of the Upstream Regulators as a Top Regulator. The area will still be generated if you do not set a top regulator, but a top regulator is required for some network functions such as demand calculations and reporting.
- **Downstream Boundaries** - You can specify downstream boundaries if necessary. If you don't, the area will extend to the downstream end of the network.

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