In today’s data-driven world, the ability to communicate complex information clearly and compellingly is essential, especially in the realm of urban planning and policymaking. This is a professional learning course crafted for junior and mid-career professionals who want to leverage the art of using data to drive impactful decisions and foster positive changes in urban environments.
Through this course, you will build a strong foundation in data literacy –including how to interpret, critique, and effectively use data – by learning to understand data sources, evaluate data quality, and apply insights to real world problems. You will become skilled at pinpointing the types of data and metrics that are most impactful in urban planning and policy, while developing proficiency in storytelling techniques that transform data into engaging and relatable narratives. You will learn to effectively convert data into persuasive narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including stakeholders, community leaders, and the public.
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Course overview 🗓️
Duration:
5 hours per week (exclusive of assignments)
Size:
Up to 40
Format:
Online asynchronous
Fees:
CAD $999 (reg. $1,249) HST exempt
Course dates:
Sept 9 – Oct 21
Oct 27 – Dec 8
Early bird deadline:
August 10 (use code STORY9)
September 28 (use code STORY7)
Register by:
August 31
October 19
Financial assistance is available through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for Microcredentials. See the OSAP for Microcredentials page for details.
What you’ll learn 💡
Designed for communicators, strategists, analysts, and planners, this course helps you turn data into influence. You’ll learn to:
- Define data storytelling and articulate its benefits in the context of urban environments
- Identify and ascertain the types of data, metrics, and evidence necessary to develop champions and overcome negative narratives related to urban planning, policy, and governance issues
- Apply storytelling techniques to communicate data insights
- Summarize and apply the elements of data literacy
- Evaluate and apply key principles of data visualization
- Describe ethical considerations when engaging with and applying data
Teaching Team 👩🏫
Karen Chapple (Course Creator): Director, School of Cities; Professor, Department of Geography & Planning, U of T
Michele Zhang (Lead Facilitator): Program Lead
Course outline 📚
The course spans six modules over six weeks and is fully online and self-directed, featuring asynchronous modules, multimedia content, learning activities, knowledge/progress checks, and assessments.
| Module 1 | Introduction to storytelling for change |
| Module 2 | Data storytelling methods |
| Module 3 | Building data literacy |
| Module 4 | Understanding data ethics |
| Module 5 | Principles of data visualization |
| Module 6 | Effective communication |
| Assessments | Presentation proposal, final presentation |
Testimonials 💬
Hear what recent course participants have to say…
“I appreciated the emphasis on real-world urban case studies and the flexibility to apply concepts to my own professional context.”
“I really appreciated reading and analyzing the case studies and data visualizations made by School of Cities. They were very insightful.”
“I found the case study examples, data repositories, and videos most useful. These data repositories give me direct access to data and resources that I can apply to my work environment.”
“I applied the data storytelling techniques to our annual general meeting presentation. We presented what we did as a temporal story rather than just telling people what we did.”
“I have begun applying the course learning to a forthcoming civic engagement project which reimagines how young people and families experience Toronto through transit-accessible library routes.”
“The modules on asset-based storytelling were especially applicable to my professional context, where the challenge is often not access to data but translating evidence into clear, persuasive stories that can influence decision-making.”
“The assignment of telling an urban data story was extremely valuable and allowed me to develop something to use in my work.”
“I found all content practical, actionable, and extremely relevant to my role within the public/non-profit education sector.”
“The format of the lessons worked well and were very manageable for balancing with my workload outside of this course.”
Frequently Asked Questions 🤔
This course is designed for professionals working with or around urban data—such as planners, policy advisors, analysts, program managers, strategists, or communications staff—who want to strengthen how they communicate insights in their role.
No formal background in data analysis or visualization is required. The course is designed for participants with a range of familiarity levels.
Yes. While the course is asynchronous, there are opportunities for peer engagement
Yes. Learners have access to instructional support with the course facilitator.
Yes. You may complete this course on its own or apply it toward a larger certificate pathway if desired.
Learners need standard access to a computer, fast-speed internet, and the course learning platform. No specialized software is required.