Geospatial Solutions for Informal Settlement Upgrading Course

Course Introduction

The Geospatial Solutions for Informal Settlement Upgrading Course provides an in-depth and applied exploration of how geospatial technologies can support inclusive, equitable, and sustainable upgrading of informal settlements. It equips participants with advanced spatial analysis, mapping, and planning tools needed to address complex urban informality challenges.

The course introduces core concepts of geospatial intelligence, participatory GIS, and urban spatial data systems as they relate to informal settlement mapping and upgrading. Participants will learn how spatial data can be used to identify settlement patterns, service gaps, and infrastructure deficiencies.

A strong emphasis is placed on using remote sensing, UAV imagery, and community-based mapping approaches to generate accurate and up-to-date settlement data. Participants will explore how these technologies support evidence-based upgrading strategies in rapidly growing urban environments.

The program further examines spatial planning techniques for improving access to essential services such as water, sanitation, transport, housing, and health infrastructure. Participants will understand how geospatial analysis informs prioritization and phased upgrading interventions.

Participants will also engage with participatory and community-driven geospatial approaches that integrate resident knowledge with technical spatial data systems. These approaches ensure that upgrading interventions are inclusive, context-sensitive, and socially sustainable.

Ultimately, the course prepares professionals to design and implement geospatially enabled upgrading frameworks that improve living conditions in informal settlements while promoting resilience, dignity, and long-term urban sustainability.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Urban planners and informal settlement upgrading officers
• GIS and geospatial data analysts in urban development
• Housing and slum upgrading program managers
• Local government and municipal planning officials
• Infrastructure and public service delivery specialists
• NGOs and development organization professionals working in urban poverty
• Remote sensing and UAV mapping specialists
• Social development and community engagement officers
• Environmental and urban resilience practitioners
• Researchers in urban studies, housing, and spatial planning

Course Objectives

• Equip participants with advanced knowledge of geospatial tools and methods for informal settlement mapping, analysis, and upgrading strategies.
• Develop technical skills in using GIS, remote sensing, and UAV data for identifying and analyzing informal settlement structures and patterns.
• Strengthen ability to design evidence-based upgrading frameworks using spatial intelligence and urban data systems.
• Enable participants to integrate community-generated data with geospatial systems for participatory urban planning processes.
• Enhance competence in identifying infrastructure deficits and service delivery gaps using spatial analysis techniques.
• Build expertise in prioritizing upgrading interventions using geospatial decision-support systems and multi-criteria analysis.
• Improve understanding of urban informality dynamics and spatial inequalities affecting settlement development.
• Strengthen capacity to apply spatial modeling techniques for planning sustainable urban upgrading projects.
• Develop skills in visualizing settlement data through maps, dashboards, and interactive geospatial tools.
• Prepare participants to lead inclusive and data-driven informal settlement upgrading programs using geospatial solutions.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Informal Settlement Geospatial Analysis

• Understanding spatial characteristics and dynamics of informal settlement development patterns
• Exploring GIS applications in mapping and analyzing urban informal settlements
• Examining relationships between urbanization, poverty, and spatial inequality
• Identifying core geospatial data requirements for settlement upgrading initiatives

Module 2: Settlement Mapping and Spatial Data Collection

• Collecting spatial data for informal settlements using GIS and field surveys
• Integrating multi-source datasets for comprehensive settlement mapping
• Ensuring accuracy and reliability in urban informal settlement spatial datasets
• Managing geospatial data systems for urban upgrading planning processes

Module 3: Remote Sensing for Informal Settlements

• Using satellite imagery to identify and monitor informal settlement expansion
• Applying image classification techniques for urban structure detection
• Detecting changes in settlement density and land use over time
• Integrating remote sensing data into urban upgrading planning systems

Module 4: UAV and High-Resolution Mapping

• Deploying UAVs for detailed mapping of informal settlement structures
• Capturing high-resolution imagery for infrastructure and housing analysis
• Integrating drone data into GIS-based urban planning platforms
• Enhancing spatial accuracy through aerial mapping technologies

Module 5: Infrastructure and Service Gap Analysis

• Mapping access to water, sanitation, transport, and electricity services
• Identifying infrastructure deficits using geospatial analysis techniques
• Prioritizing service delivery improvements through spatial data insights
• Supporting equitable infrastructure planning using GIS systems

Module 6: Participatory GIS and Community Mapping

• Engaging communities in participatory mapping of informal settlements
• Integrating local knowledge with spatial data for inclusive planning
• Supporting co-creation of settlement maps with residents and stakeholders
• Enhancing community ownership of upgrading planning processes

Module 7: Spatial Planning for Settlement Upgrading

• Designing spatial upgrading frameworks for informal settlements
• Applying land use planning techniques for structured urban improvement
• Supporting phased upgrading strategies using geospatial analysis
• Aligning spatial planning with urban development policies and standards

Module 8: Risk and Vulnerability Mapping

• Identifying environmental and social risks in informal settlements
• Mapping exposure to floods, fires, and other urban hazards
• Assessing vulnerability using spatial analysis and geospatial indicators
• Supporting resilience planning through risk-informed geospatial systems

Module 9: Decision Support Systems for Upgrading

• Developing geospatial decision-support tools for settlement upgrading
• Integrating multiple datasets into planning and prioritization systems
• Enhancing visualization of upgrading scenarios through GIS dashboards
• Supporting policy decisions using spatial intelligence systems

Module 10: Future of Smart Informal Settlement Upgrading

• Exploring AI and machine learning applications in settlement upgrading
• Understanding digital transformation in urban informal settlement planning
• Identifying innovations in participatory geospatial systems and tools
• Building next-generation geospatial frameworks for inclusive urban development

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.