AG2422 Spatial Planning with GIS 7.5 credits
This is a GIS course, which aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the capabilities of GIS, as well as the practical skills to carry out GIS analysis in different contexts.
The course covers the following topics: representation of geographic information, spatial analysis methods and tools (such as map algebra, buffering, overlay and spatial querying), multi-criteria evaluation, spatial statistics, cartography and geographic visualisation, error propagation, etc. Lectures and exercises will cover both theoretical and practical examples. External lecturers will be invited to present real-world GIS applications.
To pass this course, the students are required to: - pass all the exercises, - pass the written exam - pass the project.
Choose semester and course offering
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Application
For course offering
Spring 2025 Start 14 Jan 2025 programme students
Application code
60400
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course covers the following topics within geographical information science:
- Geographical Visualization – How to design maps and visualize three dimensional geographical data models.
- Interpolation methods – In Spatial planning several different kinds of data need to be analyzed, e.g. statistics, environmental data, topographic data etc. Some of these data have a spatial component but are not stored as geographical data. Statistics may have a relation to address. Pollution of soils may be related to a certain point where the measurement was made. This course will give you insights into different ways of interpolation that can be used to create geographical data. These data can then be used in a GIS to perform spatial analysis.
- Multi Criteria Evaluation, MCE – In a spatial planning problem, such as finding the best route for an oil pipeline, we often have to consider a large number of different criteria associated with different data sources. MCE is a decision support tool that is used to combine the different criteria into a suggestion for a solution.
- Error propagation – When solving a spatial planning problem data of different quality are combined and analyzed to reach a solution. The errors in the source data propagate through the analysis made in the GIS. Different methods to verify the validity of a results from GIS analysis will be described.
- Modeling and analysis of networks – Networks are mainly used in traffic planning but also in utilities management. Here we will focus on algorithms and models used in traffic planning
- Spatial statistics – An introduction to different methods in spatial statistical analysis that are relevant to spatial planning.
- Analysis tools - The course will cover the use of various analysis tools in GIS such as map algebra, buffering, overlay, queries etc.
Furthermore the course will show how GIS is used within the fields of: local planning, regional planning, environmental planning and transportation planning. Rather than giving a comprehensive overview of how GIS is used in each field different examples will illustrate how GIS can be used to solve different tasks in spatial planning.
The exercises will give hands on experience in using vector (Arcview) and raster (Idrisi) based GIS to solve problems in spatial planning.
Intended learning outcomes
Methods from geographical information science can be used in various ways in Spatial planning. The aim of the course is to give knowledge about the methods from GIS that are most important to spatial planners. Furthermore the course will give knowledge about how geographical information systems are used within various fields of spatial planning.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
A completed Bachelor of Science in Engineering or 180 credits academic studies in the field of Technical Science, Environmental Science, or planning and documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B.
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Will be announced at the course start
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- PRO1 - Project, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Written exam (TEN2, 3 cr)
Approved laboratory reports (LAB2, 3 cr)
Project (PRO1; 1,5 cr)
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Offered by
Main field of study
Education cycle
Add-on studies
Visualisation Techniques
Spatial Analysis
A GIS Project