🏙️ Smart City Solutions: Advanced GIS for Urban Planning Course

Module 1: Foundational GIS Data and Geodatabase Design for Cities

ü  Sources of urban spatial data (cadastral, aerial, census)

ü  Designing a city-wide geodatabase structure

ü  Managing different data types (vector, raster, tables)

ü  Coordinate systems and urban data projection

ü  Data quality, accuracy, and metadata standards

ü  Practical Session: Creating and Populating a Geodatabase for a Sample Municipality

Module 2: Advanced Geoprocessing for Urban Analysis

ü  Mastering buffer, clip, and dissolve functions

ü  Advanced overlay analysis (union, intersect, identity)

ü  Utilizing ModelBuilder/Graphical Modeler for workflow automation

ü  Applying spatial joins and proximity analysis

ü  Handling topological errors in urban feature data

ü  Practical Session: Automating a Simple Land Parcel Assessment Workflow

Module 3: Infrastructure and Network Analysis

ü  Introduction to network datasets (roads, utilities)

ü  Determining optimal routes and service areas (isochrones)

ü  Locating facility sites (e.g., schools, emergency services)

ü  Calculating accessibility and travel time impedance

ü  Analyzing utility networks (water, power)

ü  Practical Session: Calculating Optimal Emergency Service Routes and Service Areas

Module 4: Integrating Socio-Economic and Demographic Data

ü  Joining census data and socio-economic indicators to spatial boundaries

ü  Creating custom demographics for small area planning

ü  Visualizing population density and growth trends

ü  Identifying areas of inequality and service gaps

ü  Using spatial data to support policy writing

ü  Practical Session: Linking Census Data to Census Tracts and Mapping Socio-Economic Indicators

Module 5: Land Use and Suitability Modelling

ü  Principles of multi-criteria evaluation (MCE)

ü  Developing weighted overlay models for optimal site selection

ü  Reclassifying and ranking input criteria (slope, proximity, existing use)

ü  Validating and refining suitability results

ü  Application to new development, conservation, or hazard areas

ü  Practical Session: Practical Session: Developing a Site Selection Suitability Model using Weighted Overlay

Module 6: Spatial Statistics and Predictive Urban Analytics

ü  Introduction to spatial statistical tools (e.g., clustering, hot spot analysis)

ü  Using autocorrelation (Moran's I) to understand urban patterns

ü  Applying Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR)

ü  Predicting future urban growth using modelling techniques

ü  Data normalization and statistical interpretation

ü  Practical Session: Identifying Statistically Significant Clusters of Crime or Traffic Accidents

Module 7: 3D GIS and Visualization for Planning

ü  Creating and visualizing urban data in a 3D environment

ü  Working with Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and building heights

ü  Generating viewsheds and shadow analysis

ü  Communicating height and density regulations visually

ü  Preparing 3D scenes for stakeholder review

ü  Practical Session: Building a 3D City Scene and Performing Viewshed Analysis

Module 8: GIS for Public Engagement and Web Mapping

ü  Principles of effective cartography for public audiences

ü  Utilizing Web GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Online, QGIS Cloud)

ü  Creating interactive web maps and story maps for public consultation

ü  Setting up data access and editing permissions

ü  Collecting public input through crowdsourcing techniques

ü  Practical Session: Publishing an Interactive Zoning Map to a Web GIS Platform

Module 9: GIS for Environmental and Risk Assessment in Cities

ü  Mapping urban heat islands and vulnerable populations

ü  Assessing flood risk and storm water management using GIS

ü  Landslide susceptibility and geotechnical hazard mapping

ü  Integrating environmental compliance data

ü  Analyzing green space provision and accessibility

ü  Practical Session: Mapping and Analyzing Urban Heat Vulnerability Areas

Module 10: Developing a Comprehensive Digital Urban Plan

ü  Integrating outputs from all modules into a final plan

ü  Designing a framework for continuous planning data maintenance

ü  Creating professional map layouts, reports, and digital deliverables

ü  Presenting planning analysis to a simulated municipal committee

ü  Future trends in GIS for urban planning course (AI, Digital Twins)

ü  Practical Session: Final Capstone Project: Presenting a Digital Comprehensive Plan

About Our Trainers

Our trainers are certified GIS Professionals and licensed Urban Planners with an average of 12 years of experience working in municipal government and private planning consultation. They specialize in delivering the GIS for urban planning course content and have direct, hands-on experience using GIS for major infrastructure, zoning, and land use projects, ensuring the training is practical and policy-relevant.

Quality Statement

Phoenix Training Center is committed to delivering a superior GIS for urban planning course that directly addresses the analytical needs of modern city management. We guarantee a rigorous, project-based curriculum, expert-led instruction, and a strategic focus on utilizing GIS to drive smarter, more equitable, and more sustainable urban development decisions.

Admission Criteria

ü  Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. 

ü  Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737296202

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor-Made Courses

We understand that every organization has unique challenges and opportunities as well as unique training needs. Phoenix Training Center offers tailor-made courses designed to address specific requirements and challenges faced by your team or organization. Whether you need a customized curriculum, a specific duration, or on-site delivery, we can adapt our expertise to provide a training solution that perfectly aligns with your objectives.

We can customize this Course to focus on your industry, specific risk profile, or internal stakeholder dynamics. Contact us to discuss how we can create a bespoke training program that maximizes value and impact for your team. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com

Accommodation and Airport Pick-up

For physical training attendees, we can assist with recommendations for accommodation near the training venue. Airport pick-up services can also be arranged upon request to ensure a smooth arrival. Please inform us of your travel details in advance if you require these services. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737296202