GIS for Resettlement Planning Training Course

Course Introduction

Resettlement planning is a critical component of infrastructure development, urban expansion, and large-scale land use transformation projects. It ensures that displaced populations are adequately identified, mapped, and supported through structured and equitable relocation processes guided by evidence-based planning.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide powerful tools for spatially analyzing affected populations, infrastructure networks, land ownership patterns, and environmental constraints. These capabilities enable planners to design fair, efficient, and transparent resettlement strategies.

This training course introduces participants to the integration of GIS technologies into resettlement planning frameworks, emphasizing data-driven decision-making for social, economic, and environmental sustainability in displacement contexts.

Participants will explore how spatial data can be used to identify suitable relocation sites, assess impacts on communities, and evaluate accessibility to essential services such as water, health, education, and transportation infrastructure.

The course also focuses on international resettlement standards, including safeguards required by development banks and government agencies, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal frameworks in displacement management.

By the end of the training, learners will be able to apply GIS tools to support inclusive, transparent, and well-structured resettlement planning processes that minimize disruption and enhance long-term livelihood recovery.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Urban and regional planners involved in infrastructure development and land use planning
• GIS specialists supporting land acquisition and resettlement impact assessments
• Environmental and social safeguard officers in development projects
• Government officials in housing, urban development, and public works ministries
• Infrastructure project managers working on roads, energy, and water projects
• NGO professionals involved in displacement, rehabilitation, and community support programs
• Land administration and cadastral survey professionals managing property and tenure systems
• Disaster risk management officers handling population relocation and emergency resettlement
• Development bank staff responsible for social safeguards and resettlement compliance
• Policy makers involved in land reform, urban expansion, and settlement planning
• Researchers studying human geography, migration, and spatial population dynamics
• Community development officers engaged in livelihood restoration programs
• Consultants preparing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)
• Transportation and infrastructure engineers involved in corridor development projects
• Data analysts working on spatial population and settlement modeling

Course Objectives

• Equip participants with knowledge of how GIS supports structured resettlement planning and displacement management processes.
• Enable learners to identify, map, and analyze populations affected by infrastructure and development projects using spatial tools.
• Develop skills in selecting and evaluating suitable relocation sites based on environmental, social, and infrastructure criteria.
• Strengthen capacity to assess impacts of displacement on livelihoods, accessibility, and community networks using GIS.
• Provide techniques for integrating cadastral, demographic, and infrastructure data into resettlement planning frameworks.
• Enhance understanding of international resettlement safeguards and how GIS supports compliance and monitoring.
• Build ability to design spatially informed compensation and rehabilitation planning strategies.
• Support development of transparent and participatory resettlement planning using geospatial visualization tools.
• Enable participants to produce resettlement maps, reports, and spatial datasets for stakeholder engagement.
• Strengthen decision-making skills for minimizing displacement impacts through optimized spatial planning approaches.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Resettlement Planning and GIS

• Understanding resettlement concepts, policies, and global frameworks for displacement management
• Role of GIS in identifying and analyzing affected populations in development projects
• Overview of spatial data sources relevant to resettlement planning and implementation
• Introduction to ethical and legal considerations in resettlement data management

Module 2: Spatial Data Collection for Resettlement

• Collecting demographic and household data for displaced population mapping and analysis
• Integrating cadastral and land ownership data into GIS-based resettlement systems
• Using satellite imagery and field surveys for identifying affected zones
• Ensuring accuracy and consistency in resettlement spatial datasets

Module 3: Impact Assessment and Mapping

• Mapping infrastructure and population impacts using GIS spatial analysis techniques
• Identifying social and economic disruption patterns through geospatial data
• Assessing environmental impacts of displacement using spatial modeling tools
• Visualizing project footprints and affected asset distributions

Module 4: Identification of Affected Populations

• Defining criteria for identifying project-affected persons using spatial datasets
• Mapping vulnerable groups and marginalized communities in displacement zones
• Linking household data with geographic locations for precise impact assessment
• Using GIS for validating and updating affected population records

Module 5: Relocation Site Selection

• Evaluating potential resettlement sites using spatial suitability analysis
• Assessing access to infrastructure and essential services in relocation areas
• Using multi-criteria decision analysis for site selection in GIS environments
• Mapping environmental risks and constraints in proposed relocation zones

Module 6: Infrastructure and Service Planning

• Planning essential infrastructure such as water, roads, and health facilities for resettlement sites
• Analyzing accessibility to schools, markets, and public services using GIS tools
• Designing spatial layouts for sustainable resettlement communities
• Integrating infrastructure planning with population distribution models

Module 7: Livelihood Restoration Planning

• Mapping livelihood patterns of displaced populations using spatial data analysis
• Identifying economic opportunities in resettlement locations
• Supporting income restoration programs through geospatial planning tools
• Evaluating long-term sustainability of livelihood interventions

Module 8: Monitoring and Compliance Systems

• Using GIS for monitoring resettlement implementation progress and outcomes
• Ensuring compliance with national and international resettlement standards
• Developing spatial dashboards for reporting and transparency
• Integrating field data with GIS systems for continuous evaluation

Module 9: Community Participation and Communication

• Using geospatial visualization tools to support stakeholder engagement
• Enhancing participatory planning through spatial mapping interfaces
• Communicating resettlement plans using maps and interactive GIS platforms
• Incorporating community feedback into spatial decision-making systems

Module 10: Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Reviewing real-world resettlement planning projects using GIS applications
• Hands-on exercises in displacement mapping and relocation site analysis
• Developing a complete GIS-based resettlement planning project
• Lessons learned from infrastructure, urban, and rural resettlement programs

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.