Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology has a lot to offer to the field of development, such as transport and infrastructure planning, land-use planning, community engagement, public participation, resource management, public health, etc. Development practitioners often encounter constraints related to resources and time. GIS technology enables a holistic understanding of the context and adds spatial dimension to any field under consideration. Spatial thinking is essential in recognizing the spatial patterns that otherwise are missed in non-spatial data collection and analysis. Spatial understanding of the context, facilitates effective resource allocation and better planning, making the planning and monitoring process less time-consuming.

In this course, the students will learn the basics of GIS technology, understand the user interface of QGIS, understand the application in the different development fields, and perform hands-on exercises. This is a workshop-style course students will engage with developmental issues and subsequently understand the specific GIS applications related to them. The course is embedded in the development issues and GIS is pitched as an essential tool to make informed choices.