LFU:online

By the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired:
1) the fundamental concepts of a GIS including spatial data models, spatial analysis and cartographic principles;
2) the ability to manipulate and manage large spatial
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datasets adequately;
3) the ability to apply state of the art GIS software packages on environmental datasets;
4) the ability to analyze and critically question methods and results;
5) the key concepts and operational stages of landscape and ecological planning;
6) skills in collecting and interpreting relevant information to inform planning processes
7) the ability to apply key methods to support planning processes (eg land suitability analysis);
7) hands-on experience with case studies in mountain areas.

The course belongs to the class related ("affini") in the curriculum "Environmental Management of Mountain Areas (EMMA)". It aims to teach both scientific foundations and practical methods.
The module aims at introducing the rapidly growing field of Geomatics, that incorporates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cartography, and GPS, along with other spatial sciences. It is designed to give students an introduction to spatial information and the current and emerging technologies for accessing, analyzing, and communicating that information. In the practical part, students will learn when and how to apply the acquired knowledge using real world case studies.
The Landscape Planning module aims at providing theoretical insights and operational skills in spatial planning, with a particular focus on ecological and environmental protection issues and on the use of spatial information to support planning processes.

The course will cover the following topics:
1. Introduction to GIS concepts and techniques
2. Projections and geographical reference systems
3. Spatial data structure (vector/raster)
4. Spatial data management
5. Spatial data analysis
6. Data visualization and map creation

• Lloyd, C. (2010): Spatial data analyses. An introduction for GIS users. Oxford University Press.
• Lang, S.; Blaschke, T. (2007): Landschaftsanalyse mit GIS. Utb; Ulmer.
• Campbell, J. B. (2011): Introduction to Remote Sensing. The Guilford press.
• Scientific papers, technical documents and case study material provided in class,

• Steiner F., The living landscape- An ecological approach to landscape planning. Second Edition. Island Press, 2008.
• Additional scientific papers and case study material suggested in class