GIS: Spatial analysis in urban regions

Spatial analysis in Urban Regions

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer systems with which data, with a spatial reference to earth’s surface, can be inputted, stored, controlled, analyzed, modelled, integrated and represented. Spatial analysis answers questions related to what is where.

GIS is used to answer various location-related questions in Industrial Ecology research, including urban mining prospecting, supply chain analysis, land use change, at-risk material stocks, socioeconomic metabolism, local environmental impacts and attribution, and many other applications.

In this course, students learn the concepts and hands-on uses of GIS software and apply it to practical industrial ecology research.
The students will work in groups (4-5 students) on an assignment exploring a spatial question related to one or more of the above-mentioned topics.

The students will conduct this study using GIS software and literature research.

The result of this case study will be a report and a presentation at the end of the course. The report has to include system boundaries, methodology and steps in the analysis as well as the results of the case study and some conclusions and discussion.

This course is part of the joint degree MSc Industrial Ecology, offered by Leiden University and Delft University of Technology. More information about the course is published in the online study guide of Leiden University