GE 277 - GIS Applications in Community Geography and Urban Planning

1. Demonstrate working knowledge of GIS software and platforms and geospatial technologies and devices. 
2. Describe the basic functions and purpose of urban planning and related operations and bodies, such as NPO/NGOs, community and neighborhood associations, public administration, public health, and regional governing bodies. 
3. Evaluate community-based needs in tandem with community partners through direct and indirect interactions.
4. Understand the capacity of GISt applications across disciplines and nonacademic setting, such as community-based, government, non-profit, and others. 
5. Identify issues within the local community that can be addressed and/or assisted with GISt. 
6. Collect and create geospatial data for implementation and analysis. 
7. Organize geospatial data in GIS software.
8. Perform meaningful analyses utilizing GISt and geospatial data. 
9. Produce visual cartographic aides and geospatial analysis to address community-based needs 
10. Evaluate the validity and applicability of products and projects generated through GISt by self, peers, and others. 
11. Design a project with peers that utilizes working knowledge of GISt to address an identified community-based need. 
12. Effectively organize communications, ensuring there is a clear introduction and conclusion, the content is well-sequenced and there are appropriate transitions. 
13. Consider the context, costs, benefits and consequences of potential solutions to problems or issues. 
14. Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it.
15. Articulate the importance of and how to find opportunities to volunteer/serve in the community. 
16. Describe how knowledge and learning from the academic study/field/discipline relates to one’s participation in civic life, politics and government. 
17. Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.

I. Introduction to Community Geography

A. Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS)​

B. Barriers to Geospatial Data/Technology in Local Community Settings

1. Awareness, Financial, Technological, Available Talent, Data Availability

2. Special Focus on “Resource Poor” Community Agencies and Groups

3. Technological Divide

II. How Communities “Work”

A. Planning at Scale: Community, Urban, Regional, and Beyond

B. The Effects of Policy and Demographics

C. Community Groups and NPOs/NGOs

III. Bridging the Gap between GIS Users and Community Needs

A. The Role of the Intermediary

B. Identifying and Accessing Community Needs

C. Communication between Technical Users and Nontechnical Users/Non-users

IV. Applications:  GIS Working in the Community Setting

A. Education

B. Transportation

C. Access to Resources

D. Social Equity and Social Justice

E. Public Health

F. Community Engagement and Involvement

G. Emergency and Disaster

H. Climate Adaptation and Environment

V. Community Engagement and Involvement

A. Where the Opportunities Arise

B. Connections that Foster Creative and Inclusive       Solutions

VI. Project Planning and Development

A. Working Within the Community

B. Grants and Available Funding

C. Developing a Project that Meets the Need

VII. Community Geography and Geospatial Data

A. Finding Viable Resources​

B. Evaluating Existing Data

C. Generating New Data

VIII. Presenting GIS Findings to a Non-technical Audience

A. Sharing Your Data

B. Accessibility of Information

C. Knowing Your Audience

Lecture: 30-50%

Asynchronous and/or Synchronous Discussion: 10-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
Present the results of a semester long project to community partners.
Equivalent Courses:
None