Urban environments generate a wealth of data that can drive impactful decisions and policies. However, the challenge often lies in processing and visualizing this data to make it understandable and actionable. This course provides a deep dive into urban data sources, analytical tools, and visualization techniques.
You will work with a range of analytical and visualization tools—including GIS, spreadsheet software, and other data platforms—to build your technical skills and apply them to real urban challenges. While this is a technical course, it is not focused on teaching you how to use all the tools listed. The emphasis is on application and interpretation: understanding which tools to use, how to structure your analysis, and how to create effective visual narratives for professional audiences.
Familiarity with spreadsheets is recommended, and some exposure to GIS or coding may be helpful but is not required. The course will provide tools and resources to support your learning, with a particular emphasis on the basics of QGIS. Interested participants are expected develop or strengthen basic coding and spreadsheet skills independently to deepen their understanding of the material.
This course is designed for professionals who want to apply data strategically to urban planning, policy, and decision-making, and who have a basic working knowledge of Excel, GIS, or Python.
Course overview
Format:
Online asynchronous
Teaching team:
◦ Content creator: Jeff Allen, PhD, Senior Research Associate and Lead, Maps & Data Visualization, School of Cities, U of T
◦ Facilitator and assessor: TBD
Class size:
Up to 25
Location:
Online, Quercus (Canvas), Zoom
Duration:
24 hours across 6 weeks
Course dates:
January 19, 2026 to March 2, 2026
Registration deadline:
This course is now full. Get notified of future courses!
Fees:
CAD: $1,000 (HST exempt)
USD: ~$750
Ready to go deeper with tools and analysis? This course equips you to:
Find and collect urban data on a variety of topics and from a range of sources that can help inform decision and policy making
Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spreadsheet software, and the programming language Python to process, explore, and analyze data
Create different types of maps and visualizations to effectively communicate data to a variety of audiences
Earn a verified digital badge to showcase your storytelling skills on your LinkedIn, portfolio, or CV.
Course outline
The course spans six modules over six weeks and is fully online and self-paced, featuring asynchronous modules, multimedia content, learning activities, knowledge/progress checks, and weekly assessments.
| Module 1 | Introduction to urban data |
| Module 2 | Data analytics and visualization |
| Module 3 | Spatial data analytics |
| Module 4 | Spatial data visualization 1 |
| Module 5 | Spatial data visualization 2 |
| Module 6 | Bringing it together |
| Assessments | Data analysis, data visualizations, reference & choropleth maps, advanced data-driven maps, presentation |
FAQs
This course welcomes professionals and recent graduates seeking to skill, reskill, or upskill in applying data to urban planning, policy, and decision-making.
To successfully complete the course assessments, you will need access to both GIS software (such as QGIS) and spreadsheet software (such as Excel or Google Sheets). The course includes basic QGIS instruction, so no prior experience is required. While familiarity with spreadsheets is recommended, we will also provide links to external resources to help you build or refresh these skills. Python is optional and not required for completing the course.
The course allows you to learn on your own schedule, while assignment due dates help keep you on track throughout the six-week duration.
The course totals 24 instructional hours across six weeks; you should expect a weekly time commitment consistent with that duration.
It can be taken as a standalone micro-credential. Alternatively, combined with the companion course (Urban Data Storytelling) it contributes toward the full certificate program in data analysis & storytelling.
Upon successful completion, you earn a verified digital badge that you can share on LinkedIn, your CV or portfolio.
Yes — as a fully online course, it’s accessible globally to anyone with internet access.
A computer and reliable internet connection are required, and ability to download software onto your computer. Familiarity with basic spreadsheet software is recommended.
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