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What is a dimension?

A dimension (also referred to as a subdomain) is a named sub-category within a domain. While domains represent broad thematic areas, dimensions provide finer-grained groupings that make it easier to navigate large sets of indicators. For example, an Environmental domain might contain dimensions such as:
  • Water
  • Energy
  • Biodiversity
  • Air quality
  • Waste
Each indicator is assigned to exactly one dimension within its domain. The combination of domain + dimension locates an indicator precisely within the platform’s taxonomy.

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Dimensions in the data model

Dimensions are stored as part of the domain object. The subdomains array on a domain contains the list of dimension objects for that domain: 
{
  "id": "domain-123",
  "name": "Environmental",
  "subdomains": [
    { "name": "Water" },
    { "name": "Energy" },
    { "name": "Biodiversity" }
  ]
}
On the indicator object, the dimension is stored as the subdomain string field — the plain name of the dimension. 
{
  "id": "indicator-456",
  "name": "Annual freshwater consumption",
  "domain": { "id": "domain-123", "name": "Environmental" },
  "subdomain": "Water"
}

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Filtering by dimension

The indicator list supports filtering by dimension. The dimension filter dropdown:
  • Is disabled when no domain is selected — dimensions are domain-specific, so a domain must be active first
  • Becomes enabled when a domain is selected — the dropdown populates with that domain’s dimensions
  • Filters the indicator list to show only indicators whose subdomain matches the selected dimension
This two-step filtering (domain first, then dimension) mirrors the hierarchical structure of the data and avoids showing dimensions from unrelated domains.

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Dimension API access

Dimensions do not have a dedicated top-level API endpoint — they are accessed as part of the domain or indicator APIs. 
# Get a domain with its subdomains
GET /api/domains/:domainId

# Get all indicators in a specific dimension
GET /api/indicators/domain/:domainId/subdomain/:subdomain

# Get indicator count for a dimension
GET /api/indicators/domain/:domainId/subdomain/:subdomain/count
The :subdomain path parameter is URL-encoded (using encodeURIComponent) when the dimension name contains spaces or special characters.

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Managing dimensions (admin)

Dimension management requires an administrator account. Adding or removing a dimension affects which filter options appear on the indicator list and which values are valid for new indicators.
Administrators manage dimensions from the /dimensions route. From this page you can:
  • View all dimensions across all domains
  • Add a new dimension to an existing domain
  • Edit a dimension name
  • Delete a dimension
Deleting a dimension does not automatically reassign indicators that use it. Ensure that any indicators using a dimension are updated or removed before deleting the dimension to avoid orphaned subdomain values.

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Relationship diagram

Every indicator has both a domain reference and a subdomain string, forming a two-level hierarchy that drives both the navigation structure and the filtering behaviour of the indicator list.

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