16004 Introduction to Spatial Analysis
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces students to using geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial analysis in property and planning. Students develop the skills to use standard ArcGIS software to manage and manipulate spatial data, create multidimensional thematic maps, and present spatial information in a form relevant to policy, regulatory and development decisions. The subject introduces demographic, economic, environmental, topographic, and other physical data, and enables students to learn how to use these various data types to solve site analysis, development feasibility, market analysis, master planning, and social and economic planning problems.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply key GIS concepts, principles, tools and methods for spatial analysis using standard ArcGIS software in property development and planning applications. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Articulate knowledge on data sourcing, collection and management, various database structure such as the Australian Census, and others, cadastral data, coordinate systems, and surface models. |
| 3. | Conduct tasks on geodatabase creation, building new information base and spatial analysis, mapping and visualisation, and provide recommendations. |
| 4. | Develop reporting and presentation skills for communicating spatial analysis outcomes. |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject consists of four modules on GIS concepts, methods, and applications. The subject is delivered in 3 hours sessions over the semester and usually 2-3 weeks are allocated to one of the four modules and consists of lectures and tutorials. Lectures include key GIS concepts, data, and analysis methods, guest lectures from GIS industry and practical GIS case studies and applications from planning and property fields. Tutorials are focused on specific GIS methods and develop skills in students to use standard ArcGIS software as a spatial analysis tool confidently. Subject resources, lectures, and assessments are available on Canvas. The students are required to read relevant resources for each module available on Canvas before coming to the class. The students’ complete five multi-choice questionnaire individually; actively participate in four individual tutorials. Also, students are required to prepare individual reports and presentations for assessments. Marks and detailed feedback on assessments and tutorials are given to the students. Also, feedback on assessments is provided through emails, individual meetings and in the classes.
Content (topics)
This subject develops conceptual understanding of:
- spatial data and spatial analysis principles,
- technical skills in using GIS software to manage data and analyse relationships,
- and practical application of conceptual understanding
- and technical skills to real world planning and property development problems.
Class work will introduce students to the structure and uses of:
- census data (and other secondary social and economic data),
- and the use of aerial photographs, cadastral, topographic, and other information about the physical characteristics of land.
Hands on tutorials will teach students how to use:
- ESRI ArcGIS 10 software,
- how to develop personal and file geodatabases,
- and how to integrate data from different sources.
Introductory assessment tasks will enable students to learn how to:
- perform basic operations such as joins and merges,
- running queries,
- defining buffers,
- and developing thematic maps.
More advanced assessment tasks will develop students’ proficiency in:
- using simple spatial statistics and other analytic tools to estimate impacts and guide policy,
- regulatory, and development decisions.
Examples of applications include:
- performing social, economic, or environmental impact analyses;
- analysing development potential and market characteristics;
- developing spatially refined development guidelines or regulations;
- and analysing the constraints and opportunities posed by a specific precinct or site.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Tutorial assignments on GIS methods and multi-choice questionnaires
| Intent: | Students work on tutorial assignments and complete online multi-choice questionnaires as parts of Assignment 1. Assignment 1 teaches important GIS methods. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 4 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .1, .1 and .2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Construct a series of simple thematic maps to answer a question
| Intent: | Students develop understanding on existing data, generate new spatial data, conduct further spatial analysis of data, construct a series of simple thematic maps using GIS tools and provide recommendations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .1, .1, .2 and .2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Perform an in-depth spatial analysis of a property or planning topic
| Intent: | Students prepare the data required; conduct further in-depth spatial analysis integrating various GIS methods introduced in this subject; prepare GIS maps and provide detail recommendations for a real-world property or planning project. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): .1, .1, .2 and .2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must obtain a total mark of 50% or more to pass the subject.
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Required texts
The required readings and resources will be available on the Canvas. Students are expected to read a selection of online resources that will be updated annually.
Recommended texts
The recommended texts and additional readings and resources of interest will be available on the Canvas site. Students are expected to read a selection of online resources that will be updated annually.