Land Use and Environmental Modeling

Planners at every scale and of every type are increasingly using spatial data and models to analyze existing patterns, identify and parameterize key trends and urban processes, visualize alternative futures, and evaluate development impacts. In the first half of the course, students will gain experience using various GIS-based environmental planning models, including McHargian Overlay; landscape fragmentation (FRAGSTATS), ArcHydro, Air pollution monitoring, flood inundation prediction, among others. The second half of the course focuses on land-use applications including gentrification simulation and urban growth modeling. A basic familiarity with ArcGIS is required..