Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems: Computational Approaches

Abstract

The course Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems: Computational Approaches focuses on the application of landscape planning using computational approaches with GIS. It introduces students to a range of different methods and tools that they apply while solving landscape planning challenges. Working in groups, students will complete exercises drawn from current Swiss planning contexts.

Objective

By the end of the course, students will be able to: - Identify and justify the appropriate use of GIS and programmatic tools for spatial analysis tasks. - Build conceptual models that link research questions, data, and methods. - Compute landscape metrics and apply statistical land-use change models to analyse landscape structure and its drivers. - Apply process-based and machine-learning approaches to assess ecosystem services and urban climate. - Implement raster-based multi-criteria decision analysis for spatial planning problems. - Apply methods to model and improve ecological connectivity through nature-based solutions and area-based conservation. - Communicate landscape planning and spatial analysis results through maps, infographics, planning reports, presentations and policy briefs.

Content

The first four weeks introduce the methods and tools used in the course, core concepts of spatial analysis, and collaborative structure. The following weeks are devoted to group exercises that build on one another. Each exercise frames a planning or assessment problem in a Swiss landscape context.

Resources