17910 Spatial Analysis (GIS)
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 urban planning. Students develop the skills to use standard GIS software to manage, manipulate and analyse spatial data. In this process students learn to create multidimensional thematic maps, perform simple statistical and other analyses of spatial relationships, 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 and master planning, spanning across social and economic planning problems. Overall, in this subject student gain a deeper understanding of the world around them with GIS and how different factors are related to each other.
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 GIS software in 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. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Communicate with people with a wide variety of cultural, social, economic, and political perspectives and interests using verbal, written, and visual media (C.2)
- Apply a wide array of analytic tools (which may include spreadsheets, geographic information software, three-dimensional simulations, or negotiation tools) to determine constraints and opportunities (P.3)
- Interpret spatial relationships and evaluate the spatial and physical impacts of proposals (R.3)
- Determine the sources, limitations and relationships of different data used to analyse problems and evaluate solutions (R.4)
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 six modules on spatial analysis (GIS) concepts, methods, and applications. The subject is delivered in six weeks. Each week is allocated to one module and consists of theories and tutorials. There are three assignments in total where assignment one consists of five tutorials spread across six weeks and two assignments which consists of individual reports. Lectures include key GIS concepts, data, and analysis methods, guest lectures from the GIS industry, and practical GIS case studies and applications from planning fields. Tutorials are focused on specific GIS methods and develop skills in students to use open source QGIS software as a spatial analysis tool confidently. The students are required to read relevant resources for each module available on the UTS Canvas and complete the tutorial each week. Apart from tutorials students engage in hands on activity to master the GIS software, engage in activities on canvas and participate in the weekly zoom session. Zoom sessions are designed to bring students to a common platform for active interaction with each other, vibrant discussions, doubt clearing from previous weeks content and assignment discussion. Marks and detailed feedback on assessments and tutorials are given to the students through Canvas. Discussion boards are created in Canvas for each module and assignment where students post their doubts, questions regarding the content and detailed answer are provided by the lecturer.
Content (topics)
1. Basic concepts of spatial analysis
2. Understanding geodatabases
3. Spatial data and geoprocessing tools
4. Working with OSM data for spatial analysis
5. Raster fundamentals and 3D visualisation
6. Surface analysis tools
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assignment 1: Tutorials on GIS methods
| Intent: | Assignment 1 consists of five tutorials spread across six weeks. The intent of these tutorials is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of GIS concepts with a hands on approach using the QGIS software. Students will enhance their skill in data collection, manipulation and analysis through these tutorials. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 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.): C.2, R.3 and R.4 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Submission is in the form of Maps and images. |
Assessment task 2: Assignment 2: Construct a series of simple thematic maps to answer a question
| Intent: | In this Assignment 2, students will conduct further spatial analysis of data; construct a series of simple thematic maps using GIS analysis tools and will 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.): C.2, P.3, R.3 and R.4 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1500 words (+/-10%). Words in the tables, images, maps, charts are not counted towards total word count. |
Assessment task 3: Assignment 3: In-depth spatial analysis of a planning topic
| Intent: | In this assignments students will use in-depth GIS methods to conduct analysis of housing affordability of 6 city councils in Sydney. This assignment is divided into 2 parts. In first part students will present their skill in relevant data collection from ABS. In the second part students will use the data to analyse housing affordability of the given city councils. Based on the outcome of the analysis the students need to present appropriate recommendations for Housing in NSW. By completing this assignment students will develop appropriate data collection and analysis competencies; conduct in-depth spatial analysis integrating various GIS methods introduced in this subject, and provide detailed recommendations for a planning problem. |
|---|---|
| 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.): C.2, P.3, R.3 and R.4 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Max 2000 words. Words in the tables, images, maps, charts are not counted towards total word count. |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total mark.