GIS for Urban Planning Training – California

This comprehensive training program prepares urban planning professionals to effectively use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for planning applications throughout California. The course emphasizes practical applications, California-specific datasets, and compliance with state regulations.

Duration: 40 hours (5 days intensive or 8 weekly sessions)
Prerequisites: Basic computer literacy, familiarity with urban planning concepts
Software: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and web-based GIS platforms

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Navigate and analyze California’s key planning datasets
• Create professional maps for planning documents and presentations
• Conduct spatial analysis for land use planning and zoning decisions
• Perform site suitability analysis for development projects
• Generate demographic and economic impact assessments
• Comply with CEQA requirements using GIS analysis
• Integrate GIS into public participation processes

Module 1: GIS Fundamentals for Planners (6 hours)

1.1 Introduction to GIS in Urban Planning

• What is GIS and why planners need it
• Types of spatial data: vector vs. raster
• Coordinate systems and projections (emphasis on California State Plane)
• Data quality and metadata importance

1.2 California Planning Context

• Overview of California planning law and GIS applications
• CEQA environmental review requirements
• Housing Element compliance and RHNA obligations
• SB 9, SB 10, and other recent legislation impacts

1.3 Essential GIS Software Skills

• ArcGIS Pro interface and basic navigation
  https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/get-started.htm
• QGIS as an open-source alternative
  https://qgis.org/en/site/
• Online platforms: ArcGIS Online
  https://www.arcgis.com/home/index.html
• CalEnviroScreen mapping tool
  https://oehha.ca.gov/calenviroscreen/report/calenviroscreen-40

Hands-on Exercise:

Create a basic map of your jurisdiction showing zoning, general plan land use, and recent development applications.

Module 2: California Planning Data Sources (8 hours)

2.1 State and Regional Datasets

• California Open Data Portal – statewide datasets
• DataBasin – conservation and environmental data
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Database
• Housing and Community Development (HCD) datasets
• Caltrans GIS Data – transportation networks
• California Energy Commission – renewable energy data

2.2 Federal Data Sources

• US Census Bureau – demographic and housing data
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – employment data
• EPA EnviroAtlas – environmental indicators
• FEMA Flood Maps – flood hazard zones
• USGS – topography, geology, hydrology

2.3 Local and Regional Sources

• Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
• Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
• County assessor parcel data
• Local survey data and planning documents

Hands-on Exercise:

Download and integrate multiple datasets to create a comprehensive base map including parcels, zoning, transportation networks, and environmental constraints.

Module 3: Land Use Analysis and Zoning (6 hours)

3.1 Parcel-Based Analysis

• Working with assessor parcel data
• Land use classification and coding
• Calculating development capacity
• Identifying underutilized properties

3.2 Zoning Analysis

• Digitizing and updating zoning maps
• Zoning compliance checking
• Overlay zone analysis
• Calculating allowable density and FAR

3.3 General Plan Analysis

• Land use designations vs. zoning consistency
• Build-out analysis under General Plan
• Infrastructure capacity assessment
• Growth boundary analysis

Hands-on Exercise:

Analyze development potential in a specific area by overlaying zoning, general plan designations, and environmental constraints.

Module 4: Demographics and Housing Analysis (6 hours)

4.1 Census Data Integration

• American Community Survey (ACS) data
• Decennial Census data
• Creating demographic profiles
• Population and employment projections

4.2 Housing Needs Assessment

• Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) compliance
• Affordable housing site analysis
• Housing condition assessment
• Displacement risk analysis

4.3 Environmental Justice Analysis

• CalEnviroScreen integration
• Disadvantaged communities identification
• Health risk assessment mapping
• Community facility access analysis

Hands-on Exercise:

Create a comprehensive housing element sites inventory map showing suitable sites for different income categories with supporting demographic analysis.

Module 5: Transportation and Infrastructure Planning (6 hours)

5.1 Transportation Analysis

• Transit accessibility analysis
• Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis for CEQA
• Complete streets planning
• Bicycle and pedestrian network analysis
• Parking supply and demand analysis

5.2 Infrastructure Assessment

• Utility capacity mapping
• Stormwater infrastructure analysis
• Parks and recreation facility access
• School capacity analysis
• Fire and police service areas

5.3 Climate Change and Resilience

• Sea level rise mapping
• Wildfire risk zones (CalFire data)
• Urban heat island analysis
• Green infrastructure planning

Hands-on Exercise:

Conduct a transit-oriented development analysis including walkability, transit access, and infrastructure capacity assessment.

Module 6: Environmental Analysis and CEQA Compliance (4 hours)

6.1 Environmental Constraints Mapping

• Sensitive habitat areas
• Wetlands and waterways
• Slope and geological hazards
• Air quality considerations
• Historic and cultural resources

6.2 CEQA Analysis Tools

• Initial Study checklists with GIS support
• Cumulative impact analysis
• Mitigation measure mapping
• Alternative site analysis

6.3 Climate Action Planning

• Greenhouse gas emissions inventory
• Renewable energy potential mapping
• Carbon sequestration analysis
• Adaptation strategy mapping

Hands-on Exercise:

Prepare environmental constraints maps and analysis for a proposed development project, including CEQA compliance documentation.

Module 7: Public Participation and Communication (4 hours)

7.1 Creating Public-Friendly Maps

• Design principles for planning maps
• Color selection and accessibility
• Scale and layout considerations
• Online mapping platforms for public engagement

7.2 Story Maps and Interactive Tools

• ArcGIS StoryMaps for project presentations
• Dashboard creation for monitoring progress
• Survey123 for community input collection
• Public participation GIS (PPGIS) methods

7.3 Data Visualization Best Practices

• Choosing appropriate symbology
• Statistical representation in maps
• Avoiding common mapping errors
• Creating compelling infographics

Hands-on Exercise:

Create a public-facing story map explaining a proposed general plan update or specific development project.

California-Specific Tools and Resources

State Planning Tools

• CalPlanning – state planning resource database
• California Climate Change Portal – climate data and tools
• Healthy Places Index – community health indicators
• California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
• Tsunami Inundation Maps

Professional Organizations

• California Planning Roundtable – GIS working group
• American Planning Association California Chapter – technology resources
• URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association)

Continuing Education

• Esri Training Catalog – ongoing professional development
• University Extension Programs – UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC
• Professional Certification – GIS Professional (GISP) certification

Assessment and Certification

Portfolio Project

Participants complete a capstone project involving:

• Comprehensive site analysis for a real planning scenario
• Multi-criteria decision analysis
• Public presentation materials
• Technical documentation and methodology

Skills Assessment

• Practical GIS exercises
• Map critique and quality assessment
• Problem-solving scenarios
• Professional presentation

Continuing Professional Development

• 16 hours annual continuing education recommended
• Attendance at California GIS conferences
• Participation in professional organizations
• Advanced training in specialized applications

Software and Hardware Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

• Windows 10 or macOS 10.15+
• 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
• 500GB available storage
• High-resolution monitor (dual monitors recommended)
• Reliable internet connection

Software Licenses

• ArcGIS Pro (educational or professional license)
• QGIS (free and open source)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Acrobat Professional (recommended)

Data Storage and Management

• Cloud storage solutions (ArcGIS Online, Google Drive)
• External backup drives
• Version control practices
• Data security protocols

Resources for Further Learning

Online Resources

• California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG)
• Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
• California Air Resources Board (CARB) mapping tools
• California Department of Housing and Community Development

Professional Development Opportunities

• Annual California GIS Conference
• American Planning Association National Conference
• ESRI User Conference
• Local GIS user groups and meetups

This comprehensive training program ensures California urban planners develop the technical skills and local knowledge necessary to effectively use GIS in their professional practice, while staying current with evolving state regulations and best practices.