A Blended Learning Approach to Introduce GIS in Urban Studies: Developing an On-line Knowledge Base for Acquiring Essential Skills

Preprint, 2019

Students and researchers in urban studies require Geographic Information System (GIS) skills to create maps, analyse spatial data, and produce plans, and usually they do not have the time or interest to learn GIS in-depth. However, existing learning resources are comprehensive and technically advanced, targeted at (future) GIS engineers with a quantitative background, and/or originate in other fields, such as geology, agriculture, ecology or geography, rendering some of the skills presented less relevant for urban studies. In this paper I explore to what extent a blended learning approach can be used in urban design and planning studies to introduce essential GIS skills, leaving on campus class time to explore specific problems of the projects with the support of the teacher.