This course supports planners to apply spatial analysis and produce clear, communicative maps that strengthen planning assessment and decision-making. It is designed as a stand-alone course for planners with varying levels of GIS experience who want to improve how spatial evidence is analysed, interpreted, and presented in professional planning contexts.
The course focuses on practical planning applications, including evaluating site feasibility using planning and environmental constraints, identifying spatial patterns and relationships across a study area, and assessing proximity, accessibility, and cumulative impacts. Participants will learn how to apply spatial analysis in ways that directly inform planning judgments, options analysis, and recommendations.
A key component of the course is cartography as a communication tool. Participants will develop the ability to translate analytical outputs into clear, persuasive maps using principles of visual hierarchy, classification, colour, scale, and multi-variable representation. The emphasis is on producing maps that are fit for purpose and suitable for inclusion in planning reports, policy documents, and presentations.
Learning is delivered through applied exercises and real planning examples that demonstrate end-to-end workflows, from analysis through to interpretation and visualisation. The course also highlights effective collaboration with other planners and GIS specialists within organisations or when working with consultants, supporting the integration of spatial analysis and mapping into broader planning processes.
The course is delivered using QGIS, a free and open-source GIS platform available on both Mac and PC. While demonstrations are undertaken in QGIS, the analytical approaches and cartographic principles taught are directly transferable to other GIS platforms, including ESRI ArcGIS and MapInfo. This course complements Practical GIS for Planning: Map Creation and supports planners seeking to strengthen the analytical and communication aspects of their GIS practice.
Designed For
This course is designed for planners across public and private sectors who want to strengthen their spatial analysis and mapping communication skills. It is suitable for planners involved in strategic, statutory, environmental, social, community, economic, and transport planning who use spatial data to assess proposals, evaluate options, and communicate evidence to decision-makers and stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this course, participants will:
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Apply spatial analysis techniques to address common planning questions
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Interpret spatial relationships and patterns to support planning assessment
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Produce clear and communicative maps that support professional planning outputs
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Apply cartographic principles to improve clarity and visual impact
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Integrate spatial analysis and mapping into reports, policy documents, and presentations
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Use QGIS for planning analysis and understand how these skills transfer to other GIS platforms
Presenter
Dr. Daniel Paez is a transport planner and policy specialist with over 15 years of experience in transport, land use, and strategic planning. He holds a PhD in Geomatics from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Canberra and is currently studying a Juris Doctor. Daniel has advised on complex policy reforms for Australian state and federal governments, as well as international organisations, including the World Bank and the United Nations. His work bridges technical spatial analysis and practical planning applications, supporting planners to produce clear, defensible, and decision-ready outputs.
Terms & Conditions
Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.
If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.
In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.
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