an image of the concept of data and a city skyline at night

Introduction to Urban Informatics

This course discusses how the field of urban informatics works. You will also learn about the technologies and concepts influencing Urban Informatics, including "Big Data," machine learning, visualization, and data-driven decision making.

  • Preview Course PREVIEW

Course Info

  • Duration 7 video lessons (35 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2019
  • 4.11
Play Video

Preview Course Preview Course

Browse Course Chapters

  • Chapter Locked
    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 4 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Big Data
    Chapter Duration 4 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Data Processing
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    Artificial Intelligence
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    Visualization
    Chapter Duration 4 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Data-Driven Decision Making
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    Wrap-Up
    Chapter Duration 4 mins

What You Will Learn

  • The function and application of urban informatics
  • The steps in processing data in urban informatics
  • Concepts of deep learning and machine learning
  • The role of artificial intelligence in urban informatics
  • The use of visualization techniques in urban informatics
  • The application of urban informatics in smart city case studies

Course Description

Building from foundational concepts developed in the "Introduction to Smart Cities" course, "Introduction to Urban Informatics" introduces viewers to a relatively new field that uses emerging data-types to better understand how cities see, feel, think, and work. The Internet of Things and Big Data are making cities transparent, conscious, and connected. Urban informatics uses iterative analysis and evaluation of smart city data to understand outcomes and improve data-driven decisions. In a sense, urban informatics is the engine that updates and optimizes smart cities and, by extension, urban life.

This course is structured around the six steps of urban informatics: data collection, processing, analysis, visualization, data-driven decision-making, and outcome evaluation. Through case studies, this course explores how emerging data and big data sources are changing the planning process.

Join course instructor Amir Hajrasouliha in an exploration of data processing, including cloud computing, open data protocols, and string processing. Hajrasouliha also introduces the basic concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Course participants will also learn about emerging visualization techniques and a number of urban informatics case studies affecting the everyday life of citizens and the efficiency of cities. By the end of this course, viewers will have a basic understanding of urban informatics and can begin to envision more sustainable, efficient, and just cities with the help of data.

Learn these skills

  • Data Analysis
  • Data Visualization
  • Modeling & Simulation
  • Research Methods
  • Technology

AICP CM

This course is approved for .5 AICP CM credit.

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1 SACPLAN CPD point.

Meet Your Instructor

Amir Hajrasouliha

Amir Hajrasouliha

Amir Hajrasouliha is an architect, urban designer, and city planner with years of professional and academic experience. He is an assistant professor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he teaches courses in Urban Design, Smart Cities, and Housing.

Meet Instructor

Join thousands of urban planners on Planetizen Courses

Thorough overview with a plethora of examples for a short lesson. Thank you! I now have a solid list of city projects, sites, and apps to research further.
- Astrud R.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
Really learned a bunch of new things on data gathering and interpretation of the data. Well explained by instructor.
- Neil B.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review

Master Urban Planning Skills With A Planetizen Courses Subscription.

Try Free Courses
Computer

High quality video lessons developed by experts.

Analytics

Complete course work to receive a certificate from Planetizen.

Certificate

Test your comprehension with course quizzes.

Cloud

Access reading lists, articles, and other materials prepared by instructors.