last revision: January 2024

Disclaimer: This tutorial series was designed for ED4 studio students enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture’s Environmental Design (ED) program. Examples, data, and instructions are therefore tailored towards the needs of ED students, especially those who will be enrolled in the Landscape Architecture Program. However, the majority of the content below will be useful for beginners in geospatial analysis and digital mapping. The software of choice in this tutorial series is QGIS, an open-source and accessible (Windows and Mac compatible) desktop application.

How to use this tutorial

This tutorial consists of 4 modules (M1-4) of self-paced step-by-step instructions using QGIS. The objective of this workshop is to introduce the fundamentals of digital mapping in a geographic information system (GIS), including topics such as GIS data structure, georeferencing, overlay analysis, and map symbology. Each topic typically consists of a lecture (10-15mins) and hands-on exercises (90-120 minutes). Participants can expect to spend ~3-4 hours to complete each module. Although the topics and learning objectives in each module vary, there are shared typographical formats that can help you follow the steps more easily:

  • Input files

  • Geoprocessing tools in QGIS

  • Specific steps to set up a geoprocessing tool in QGIS

  • Important notes from the instructor

  • Other important details

  • Hyperlinks or web URLs

Requirements

  • A laptop (PC or Mac). If you are a student from the Faculty, you can loan a PC laptop from the CAD lab (for 30 days only).  

  • QGIS Long-Term Release (LTR) version (v.3.28 at the time of preparing this document). Please download here.

Overall workshop learning objectives (By the end of the workshop, you should be able to)

  • Source, display, and manipulate spatial and non-spatial data in QGIS;

  • Understand key terminologies used in a GIS;

  • Develop basic analytical skills using overlay tools involving both vectors and raster datasets;

  • Apply basic 2D and 3D symbology settings to highlight (or hide) information on maps;

  • Export GIS-derived layer to other graphic formats.

Workshop modules