Picture a city where green spaces flourish aboveground, self-driving cars travel underground, pedestrian walkways wind through tree canopies, and waste management operates autonomously. Around the world, cities like Singapore, Oslo, and Charlotte are moving beyond this vision and making smart, sustainable urban design a reality. At the heart of these developments? Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 

In this article, we explore how GIS technology is transforming urban planning, from managing resources and reducing environmental impact to engaging communities and planning for long-term sustainability. 

How GIS Supports Urban Planning and Smart Cities 

As cities aim to improve quality of life while becoming more environmentally conscious, planners are turning to GIS technology. Using GIS in urban planning enables experts to visualize data, assess outcomes, and make strategic decisions that shape the future of our cities. 

Below, we explore how GIS supports smarter, more sustainable urban development across a range of focus areas—from risk mitigation and scenario modeling to infrastructure planning and public engagement. 

Natural Hazard Risk Assessment with GIS 

City planners rely on GIS for natural hazard risk assessment in cities. By identifying areas vulnerable to floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes, they can: 

  • Design evacuation plans 
  • Pinpoint where to build more resilient infrastructure 
  • Prioritize emergency services 

Urban Scenario Modeling Using GIS 

By using GIS for urban planning, planners simulate the impact of future developments. They can model: 

  • Changes in traffic patterns 
  • Air quality implications 
  • Access to services like schools and healthcare 

This kind of predictive modeling helps cities choose sustainable and efficient urban development strategies. 

GeoSpatial Analysis for Urban Development 

Equipped with GIS technologies, city planners can analyze spatial factors, including: 

  • Land use 
  • Transportation networks 
  • Demographics 
  • Environmental conditions 
  • Infrastructure 

By overlaying and analyzing these layers of information, they can identify patterns, trends, and relationships that help them make informed urban planning decisions. 

GIS in Urban Resource and Green Space Management 

GIS facilitates the efficient management of natural resources in urban areas. City planners can harness GIS for several key functions, including: 

  • Monitoring and assessing the condition of bodies of water, parks, forests, and other green spaces 
  • Nurturing biodiversity 
  • Enhancing the quality of life for residents 

GIS in Infrastructure and Transportation Planning 

The planning and design of roads, public utilities, and transportation systems is both critical and complex. City planners can use GIS to analyze existing infrastructure, identify inefficiencies, and optimize the location and design of new projects, including: 

  • Analyzing existing infrastructure networks 
  • Determining deficient areas 
  • Optimizing the location and design of new infrastructure projects to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact 

How GIS Tracks Urban Development Over Time 

City planners can use GIS to continuously monitor and evaluate urban development projects. By tracking changes in land use, infrastructure development, and environmental quality over time, these professionals can better evaluate the effectiveness of planning interventions and adjust them when necessary. 

Engaging Communities Through GIS Technology 

Planners can create interactive maps and platforms that invite public input. Engaging communities through GIS technology means: 

  • Greater transparency 
  • Better alignment with community needs 
  • Increased public trust and participation 

Frequently Asked Questions About GIS and Urban Development 

Curious about how GIS is transforming urban planning—and what it means for your future career? Explore these common questions for quick insights: 

  • What is GIS in urban planning?
    GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in urban planning refers to technology used to collect, analyze, and visualize spatial data to inform smarter city development decisions.
  • How does GIS support smart cities?
    GIS supports smart cities by enabling real-time data tracking, infrastructure optimization, environmental monitoring, and citizen engagement—helping cities become more sustainable and efficient.
  • Can GIS be used for climate resilience?
    Yes. GIS helps identify areas at risk of climate-related hazards like flooding or extreme heat, enabling planners to take preventative action and develop resilient infrastructure.
  • What careers can GIS certification lead to?
    A GIS certification can lead to roles in urban planning, environmental consulting, transportation planning, data analysis, and smart city development, among others.
  • Is the UTPB GIS program fully online?
    Yes. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s GIS and Geospatial Certificate is offered 100% online in an asynchronous format for maximum flexibility.

Advance Your Career with GIS Expertise 

Whether you want to help plan smart cities or have another career in mind, mastering GIS and geospatial technologies can change your career for the better. Expertise in this field is becoming essential for an increasing number of professionals as the technology becomes more widely adopted.  

The University of Texas Permian Basin empowers you to build that acumen quickly and conveniently with our 12-credit online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate program.  

  • Complete just four eight-week courses to earn your certificate. 
  • Learn anytime, anywhere through our 100% online, asynchronous format. 
  • Study under the guidance of UTPB’s distinguished geosciences faculty. 

Explore courses, career pathways, and salary expectations—and take the next step toward a more sustainable future

Sources: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-geographic-information-systems-urban-planning-polaris-digitech-1z1bf

https://planning.lacity.gov/blog/why-gis-technology-important-urban-planning

https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/urban-community-planning/overview


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“The application of GIS is limited only by the imagination of those who use it.” – Jack Dangermond, president of Esri 

Geographic information systems (GIS) have become indispensable for analyzing and visualizing spatial data. While many of us associate GIS primarily with mapping and GPS (global positioning system), its applications extend far beyond these familiar uses. For instance, GIS plays a crucial role in tracking the spread of diseases and is a valuable resource for law enforcement in criminal investigations. 

In this article, we’ll look at ten technologies that you might not realize rely on GIS. Let’s dive in! 

  1. Mobile Navigation 
    Many of us use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze almost daily — and some of us are permanently lost without them! Have you ever wondered how you get those helpful alternative route suggestions mid-commute?  

    While GPS can locate you anywhere on the planet, these apps also use geospatial systems to provide real-time traffic updates, route optimization, and location-based services. Grateful for all this information at your fingertips? You can thank the integration of satellite data, road networks, and live traffic information. GIS to the rescue! 
  1. Smartphones and Tablets 
    Your smartphone is a constant hub of geospatial activity. Beyond just navigation apps, every time you use a location-based service — whether to find a nearby restaurant or track your steps — GIS is hard at work. From Apple’s location-based apps to your favorite social media platforms, GIS provides the real-time data that powers these experiences. 
  1. Fitness Trackers 
    Wearable devices made by companies like Fitbit and Garmin have transformed the way we monitor our health. These fitness trackers rely on GIS to map our runs, bike rides, and hikes. By combining GPS with GIS, these devices visualize data such as distance, speed, and elevation in real time, helping you track your progress and adjust your workouts for better results. 
  1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Systems 
    Modern skyscrapers and smart buildings are engineering marvels, and GIS is integral to their design. BIM software like Autodesk Revit incorporates GIS to create detailed digital models of physical structures. This integration allows architects and engineers to optimize designs based on geographic factors like terrain, climate, and environmental conditions — essential for urban planning and the development of future smart cities. As our cities evolve, GIS will play an increasingly critical role in their design and management. 
  1. Internet Mapping Technologies 
    Popular mapping software programs like Google Earth, Bing Maps, and ArcGIS Online are only made possible through geospatial technology. GIS integrates and visualizes geographic data online, powering real-time updates, location-based services, and interactive features like zooming, searching, and route planning.  
  1. Content Management Systems 
    National Geographic’s journalists and writers often use geospatial technology in their content management tools. ArcGIS StoryMaps, for example, is often used by those who work in media, journalism, or education to create interactive, map-based stories. These systems are used not only to present location-specific content but also to visualize complex datasets, track changes over time, and even integrate real-time data feeds into stories – making the narratives both engaging and informative.  
  1. Autonomous Vehicle Systems 
    GIS technology isn’t just for static data. It also powers advanced dynamic systems like autonomous vehicles. Self-driving cars, such as Tesla’s Model S, rely on GIS to navigate and make real-time decisions. By integrating GIS with GPS and sensors, these vehicles can map and contextualize their surroundings, plan routes, and avoid obstacles, ensuring safe and efficient travel. 
  1. Drone Technology 
    Drones are popular for both recreational and professional use. What many don’t realize is that drones rely on GIS for navigation, data collection, and mapping. Whether it’s capturing aerial footage or conducting land surveys, geospatial technology helps drones operate accurately and efficiently. 
  1. Remote Sensing 
    Remote sensing involves collecting data from satellites or airborne platforms like drones. This imagery is then processed and analyzed using GIS to extract valuable geographic information. GIS is crucial for visualizing environmental changes, such as deforestation or urban sprawl, by comparing satellite images over time. This technology is also essential for monitoring climate change and supporting humanitarian efforts. 
  1. Emergency Systems 
    In critical situations, GIS technology can be a lifesaver — literally. Dispatch systems for ambulances and other emergency services use GIS to optimize routes, ensuring that help arrives as quickly as possible. During natural disasters, systems like the Esri Disaster Response Program (DRP) leverage GIS to provide live, continuously updating data, guiding response efforts and saving lives. 

Endless Applications for Geospatial Technology 

The applications of GIS are vast and expanding, driving innovation across diverse fields. With today’s user-friendly interfaces marking a significant evolution from the complex software used by GIS specialists in the past, advanced geospatial analysis is now accessible to everyone. 

Empower Your Career With Cutting-Edge Expertise 

If you’re fascinated by how the modern world uses geospatial technology to improve our daily lives, why not boost your career with The University of Texas Permian Basin’s 12-credit, entirely online GIS and Geospatial Graduate Certificate? UTPB has a decades-long connection to the GIS and geospatial industry and can provide the knowledge and tools you need to integrate GIS into cutting-edge solutions. Best of all, you can study from anywhere in the world — without compromising any commitments.  

Geospatial technology is a dynamic field, and GIS analysts are in constant demand. Your expertise can be applied in industries like: 

  • smart technologies 
  • biology 
  • business management 
  • urban planning 
  • energy and environmental monitoring 
  • political science 
  • sociology 
  • social media 

Step into the future of technology and begin your journey today.  

Sources: 
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-geographic-information-system-gis 
https://gisgeography.com/history-of-gis/ 

As hurricane season ramps up, people in affected parts of the country and the world are once again thinking about how to prepare for the prospect of a big storm impacting their lives. GIS systems are central to the efforts public officials, first responders, meteorologists, and others make in managing crisis situations, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. Here we’ll discuss how they’re harnessing these tools. 

Benefits of GIS Applications Before, During, and After Disaster Strikes 

Here are some ways GIS is aiding in disaster management: 

  1. GIS is used to identify areas at risk for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and landslides and predict the impact of these disasters on the local population and infrastructure. 
  1. GIS enables officials to pinpoint shelter locations, identify ideal evacuation routes, and allocate resources where they are needed most. 
  1. GIS technology empowers users to run simulations of potential disaster scenarios to aid in the training of emergency personnel.  
  1. GIS helps project potential damage before a disaster, assess the extent of the destruction after it occurs, and prioritize rescue and reconstruction efforts
  1. GIS collects data from sensors and monitoring systems to provide real-time information on potential hazards, enabling officials to alert the public about developing and imminent dangers. 
  1. Long used for map creation, GIS technology is the source of maps and other informative materials officials distribute to show the public where floods are most likely to occur and whether they’re living in an evacuation zone. 
  1. GIS enables utility companies to locate service outage areas and prioritize their restoration efforts to those locations. 
  1. GIS offers officials a way to reduce the risk of crises and their subsequent damage when such crises may be within human control.  
  1. GIS helps officials assess the possible impact of disasters on natural resources, woodlands, and wetlands so they can take steps to mitigate damage. 

Map Out Your Own Plan for Greater Career Mobility 

A broad range of career fields rely on GIS applications, including government, finance, telecommunications, real estate, healthcare, and insurance. Whether you aspire to move into a field where GIS is used or simply want to expand your resume to qualify for advancement, we have an online program designed to help you.  

The University of Texas Permian Basin’s 12-credit online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate introduces you to the technology, principles, and practices of GIS through courses that provide valuable hands-on experience with common GIS applications. Build expertise that will benefit you in disaster management and beyond. 

Here are some of the reasons you should consider our 100% online GIS graduate certificate program: 

  • Earn your certificate after completing just four eight-week semesters. 
  • Take courses in any order that’s convenient for you. 
  • Access our 100% online, asynchronous courses from any location, 24/7. 
  • Maintain your professional and personal commitments. 
  • Learn from UTPB’s renowned geosciences faculty. 

View jobs and salaries related to our GIS program here. 

Give your career a boost with valuable new credentials. Apply now.  

Sources: 
https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/our-impact/story/evolving-gis-technologies-advance-disaster-management
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-can-you-use-gis-manage-disasters
https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/emergency-management/overview
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/GIS-and-Event-Modeling-TN_0816-508.pdf

The city-state Singapore is building a “forest city” where green spaces are prioritized, pedestrian walkways replace roads, vehicles travel exclusively underground, and trash collection is automated. Oslo, Norway, is borrowing methods refined in the oil industry to install water pipes without digging trenches, preserving the land and minimizing traffic problems and disruptions. Charlotte, North Carolina, worked with Microsoft to create a digital infrastructure that will assist in everything from expanding Wi-Fi access in public places to reducing traffic. 

Cities around the globe are going “smart” in increasing numbers. A smart city employs “a suite of sensors … to collect electronic data from and about people and infrastructure so as to improve efficiency and quality of life,” prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainability. Planning and managing these cities understandably requires significant data collection and analysis. Providing the tools and techniques necessary to analyze, visualize, and manage spatial data, geographic information systems (GIS) are playing a central role in urban planning and the creation of smart cities. 

GIS: The Modern City Planner’s Best Friend 

These are a few of the ways GIS is supporting efforts toward more sustainable and smart cities: 

Risk Assessment 

GIS helps in assessing and mitigating risks from natural hazards. City planners can use GIS to identify areas prone to floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes; devise evacuation plans; and implement ways to enhance disaster preparedness and promote resilience following such events. 

Scenario Planning 

City planners are using GIS to create and evaluate scenarios for urban development. They can simulate the potential impacts of different land use policies, transportation systems, and infrastructure investments on factors like traffic congestion, air quality, and access to services. This helps them identify the most sustainable and efficient development strategies. 

Spatial Analysis 

Equipped with GIS technologies, city planners can analyze spatial factors including land use, transportation networks, demographics, environmental conditions, and infrastructure. By overlaying and analyzing these layers of information, they can identify patterns, trends, and relationships that help them make informed urban planning decisions. 

Resource Management 

GIS facilitates the efficient management of natural resources in urban areas. City planners can harness GIS to monitor and assess the condition of bodies of water, parks, forests, and other green spaces, nurturing biodiversity and enhancing the quality of life for residents. 

Infrastructure Planning 

The planning and design of roads, public utilities, and transportation systems is both critical and complex. City planners can use GIS to analyze existing infrastructure networks, determine deficient areas, and optimize the location and design of new infrastructure projects to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

City planners can use GIS to continuously monitor and evaluate urban development projects. By tracking changes in land use, infrastructure development, and environmental quality over time, these professionals can better evaluate the effectiveness of planning interventions and adjust them when necessary. 

Community Involvement 

To include the community in the urban planning process, city planners can create interactive maps and online platforms for residents to explore proposed development plans, offer feedback, and even participate in decision-making processes. 

Plan for Broader Career Choices 

Whether you want to help plan smart cities or have another career in mind, mastering GIS and geospatial technologies can change your career for the better. Expertise in this field is becoming essential for an increasing number of professionals as the technology becomes more widely adopted. The University of Texas Permian Basin empowers you to build that acumen quickly and conveniently with our 12-credit online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate program.  

  • Complete just four eight-week courses to earn your certificate. 
  • Learn anytime, anywhere through our 100% online, asynchronous format. 
  • Study under the guidance of UTPB’s distinguished geosciences faculty. 

See program details including courses, requirements, and associated careers and salaries here. 

Ready to get started? Apply now.  

Sources: 
https://earth.org/top-10-smart-cities-in-the-us/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_-v_6snJhAMVeKJaBR0dAQ7IEAAYBCAAEgJwQfD_BwE
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-geographic-information-systems-urban-planning-polaris-digitech-1z1bf
https://www.nec.co.nz/market-leadership/publications-media/which-cities-are-smart-cities-5-examples-of-smart-cities-around-the-world/
https://planning.lacity.gov/blog/why-gis-technology-important-urban-planning
https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/urban-community-planning/overview

There’s a skill set that’s increasingly applicable throughout the working world today and can translate to greater employability for those who possess it. Businesses, nonprofits, and government entities are using geographic information systems (GIS) to glean an unprecedented level of data and saving lives, time, money, and other resources in ways previously unimaginable in the process. As National Geographic put it: “There is no limit to the kind of information that can be analyzed using GIS technology.” 

Here we’ll explore the origins of GIS, its expanding modern-day use, and how to enhance your own GIS expertise. 

The First Use of Geographic Information Systems? 

A cholera outbreak ravaged 1850s London. At the time, it was widely believed to have been an airborne disease. Dr. John Snow, “the father of epidemiology,” did not accept that theory. Snow did some detective work, mapping areas where cases were most prominent. Eventually, he traced the source to a single water pump, had its use discontinued, and ended the outbreak. Given his methodology, he could be considered a father of GIS. 

Fast forward to 1960s Canada. Geographer Roger Tomlinson was asked by the government to inventory the country’s natural resources. He met the request by developing an automated computer system design that combined, stored, and processed the desired data. The true father of GIS, Tomlinson gave the technology its name. 

In 1981—the same year the IBM PC hit stores—the GIS world was set on the trajectory that continues to this day with the release of ARC/INFO, the first commercially available GIS. Its creators saw the broad potential of GIS: tools that could and soon would be adapted for use across many fields and industries. GIS had come a long way from its highly specialized beginnings, and its use has only grown in the decades since. 

The Many Modern Uses of GIS 

Below are just a few of the business and government sectors that today firmly depend upon GIS-derived real-time data for their ongoing operations. GIS use is expected to grow as organizations weigh the downsides of operating without this critical technology. 

Natural Resources 

True to its origins with Tomlinson in the 1960s, GIS is still used in natural resources, but with far more complex and accurate instrumentation. Modern GIS technology enables public and commercial forestry groups to use maps, images, and remote sensing data on soil, habitat, and canopy to advance forest management efforts. Digital dashboards help forestry professionals work more efficiently while fostering healthier woodlands and more sustainable practices. 

Supply Chain 

If you can use GIS to inventory Mother Nature’s efforts, you can certainly inventory deodorant, running shoes, vehicles, or any other tangible product. Today, GIS is used to find ideal locations for warehouses and distribution centers as well as the most efficient routes from those facilities to retailers. It can also assess current and historical customer buying patterns to determine where more inventory is or will be needed. For many companies, it’s an all-in-one supply chain management solution

Climate  

Weather events and patterns can have costly consequences. GIS technology helps meteorologists and officials forecast weather issues and identify high-risk areas using data on population, elevation, and other factors. It can also be used to determine ideal evacuation routes and shelter locations, and it proves invaluable in organizing relief efforts and helping officials locate resources, infrastructure, medical facilities, and the like.  

Energy Utilities  

Once natural gas deposits are found, how can those assets be managed safely and efficiently? This is just one of the crucial energy industry questions that GIS can answer. GIS tools can show precisely where a pipeline should be located for efficient delivery and minimal environmental impact, making the responsible distribution of energy resources possible.  

Real Estate  

Housing prices and mortgage rates have unquestionably spiked in recent years, and housing inventory in the U.S. is low at present. Choosing sites for building new homes depends on factors including areas where current demand is highest and strong population growth is anticipated. GIS provides localized data that helps developers make informed decisions about planning residential communities, retail spaces, and more. 

Government  

Perhaps the broadest use of GIS is seen in government, where there are myriad agencies for which the technology is essential.  

Law Enforcement 

GIS is helping police deliver better preparedness and response results, from establishing safe approach and escape routes during school incidents to pinpointing officer locations during public events. Police radios are subject to interference and can compromise officer positions in sensitive situations. 

Elections 

How do elections officials ensure adequate polling stations, conduct successful voter registration efforts, offer timely results reporting, and manage other aspects of the election cycle? You guessed it: GIS. If its data, whether demographic or geographic, it can be harnessed and applied via GIS. 

Census 

The federal government relies on statistics to determine the number of elected officials and resources any locality needs. Our decennial census has traditionally required census takers to go door to door to manually count homes and collect information about their occupants. At one time, this data was collated on punch cards. In 2020, the first solely digital, GIS-driven census—the most accurate national census yet—took place. Aerial and satellite images enabled analysts to quickly identify new homes by comparing recent images to older ones. Other applications allowed them to view demographic information by clicking on a screen, reducing the amount of legwork required. 

Apply Your Own New GIS Skills to Just About Any Field 

As you’ve seen, GIS is applicable to many fields. Building new skills—or adding to your existing skill set—can be a career booster. Four 8-week courses are all that stand between you and an online GIS and Geospatial Certificate from The University of Texas Permian Basin. In as little as one year, you can reinforce your expertise in the latest GIS and GPS applications, cartography, mapping, and more. And our 100% online asynchronous format will enable you to complete all coursework at your convenience from practically any location. You must have a bachelor’s degree to participate in this graduate program. See full requirements here. 

Discover what a GIS and geospatial certificate can do for your career. Apply today! 

Sources: 
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geographic-information-system-gis/
https://gisgeography.com/history-of-gis/
https://www.esri.com/en-us/what-is-gis/overview
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/gis03.pdf
https://www.apga.org/apgamainsite/aboutus/facts/history-of-natural-gas

When you think of GIS, the first thing that may come to mind is a surveyor using digital measuring equipment to determine property lines. Would it surprise you to know that modern GIS professionals are also working in fields like healthcare or insurance? Some of the same technology behind the tools used to identify property lines, create maps, and collect topographic data is now being harnessed in a variety of disparate industries. Let’s look at six industries using GIS systems and then explore a certificate program that will help you elevate your expertise and expand your career potential in these fields and beyond. 

Broader Applications for GIS Systems 

Here are some industries and career sectors that are working smarter thanks to data derived through GIS systems: 

Education 

Teachers in many disciplines can use maps and location analytics to illustrate patterns and connections to their students, strengthening their ability to make data-based conclusions about human-made and natural systems. 

Financial Institutions 

Banks and other financial institutions can use spatial analysis to identify customers likely to help their business grow. They can then identify common characteristics in these individuals and seek out new customers with corresponding characteristics in other geographic areas. 

Healthcare 

GIS technology applications for healthcare really came into their own during the COVID-19 pandemic, when geospatial analytics enabled governments to track COVID-19 case rates and ascertain statistics on mortality, survival, hospitalization, and more. GIS can be used to pinpoint hotspots and high-risk areas for virtually any kind of disease, enabling government and healthcare officials to direct prevention and treatment efforts to those locations. 

Insurance 

Is your home likely to be hit by a hurricane? Is your car likely to be stolen? (Or damaged by a hurricane, for that matter?) Are there high rates of certain diseases in your area of the country? Insurance companies of all types can look at data collected through GIS-driven analytical tools to decide if you are insurable and if so, what your premiums are going to be. 

Retail 

Retail businesses from high-end clothing stores to fast food restaurants can use GIS to determine where to open new brick-and-mortar locations. The technology can be used to identify helpful information such as proximity of potential customers and local saturation of competing businesses. Potential business owners can also use these tools to find out what consumers in these areas want to wear, eat, etc. to ensure that they meet the demand through proper inventory management. 

Telecommunications 

Telecommunications companies can use GIS to locate and gauge the extent of service outages and plan ahead for the expansion of services necessitated by population growth and new construction. 

Update Your GIS/Geospatial Experience and Credentials in Less Than a Year  

Drawing from the decades-long relationship between The University of Texas Permian Basin and the GIS and geospatial industries, our online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate program will enable you to keep your skills current in GIS systems that are increasingly important in a number of industries. Arrange your studies around your professional and personal commitments and add a new credential and practical expertise to your resume at the end of your program.  

Here are a few more reasons to consider earning our GIS and Geospatial Certificate: 

  • 12 credits to completion 
  • Four 8-week courses you can take in any order 
  • 100% online, asynchronous format 
  • Worldwide program access 
  • Renowned UTPB geosciences faculty 

Considering or currently completing an MBA with us? Add this graduate certificate for extra credentials on your resume and broader knowledge that will benefit you in an array of rewarding careers. 

If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and are ready to expand your GIS/geospatial proficiency, we invite you to apply now! 

Sources: 
https://www.esri.com/en-us/industries/index
https://mgiss.co.uk/what-are-the-different-industries-that-use-gis/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8822139/

Have you ever wondered how meteorologists predict the path of that soon-to-be Category 5 hurricane that’s lurking out in the ocean? For people who live on coastlines, familiar models like forecast cones and spaghetti models that show a storm’s projected path offer the integral information needed to prepare for a life-saving evacuation.  

How We Track Hurricanes 

Bringing historic flooding, record-breaking wind speeds, and storm surges that devastate communities, hurricanes make destructive impacts to our coastlines and have been increasing in intensity and frequency in the 21st century. Understanding how these powerful cyclones form and behave is critical to saving lives.  

Scientists at the National Hurricane Center and other agencies follow a series of procedures to track a developing storm system using sophisticated tracking tools. This information is sent to Weather Forecast Offices, who then relay the information to the public. 

Prior to the development of advanced storm tracking technology, however, forecasters relied on communications from boats at sea and from watching pressure changes on barometers. These forecasting methods were unreliable and often unable to prevent devastation.  

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 claimed up to 12,000 lives and is considered one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history. The town’s decimation marked a turning point in hurricane tracking and forecasting. As a result, advancements were made in meteorological technologies, such as telegraph communication to transmit weather data, establishing hurricane observation stations, and developing detailed hurricane tracking charts. 

Meteorologists today use many sophisticated methods and tools to predict and manage hurricanes, such as: 

  • Weather satellites 
  • Computer models 
  • Doppler radar 
  • Observation stations 
  • Reconnaissance aircraft/hurricane hunters 
  • Ocean buoy networks 
  • Weather balloons 
  • GIS-based models 

What Is GIS? 

Most of us use GIS each day and don’t even realize it. That map or navigational app you use on your phone for directions and when searching for a nearby store, landmark, or gas station? It operates with the support of GIS technology. 

GIS is short for geographic information system. It refers to a computer system that stores and interprets spatial data and technology from a specific geographic location. Geographic information systems are used in numerous industries, like urban planning, environmental management, public health, transportation networks, natural resources, and climatology.  

Meteorologists, researchers, and emergency managers use GIS-based models to visualize and integrate data from sources like satellite imagery and topographical maps into a geographical framework. The framework is used to predict and manage hurricanes more effectively. This technology also makes real-time weather and storm tracking apps possible. 

How Is GIS Applied When Tracking Hurricanes? 

  • Data visualization and integration 
    GIS integrates data sources like satellite imagery, radar data, weather station observations, and topographic and oceanographic data.  
  • Models and forecasts 
    GIS-based models use historical storm data, atmospheric conditions, and geography to help predict storm paths, storm intensity, and impacts. These predictions help meteorologists create early warning systems and aid in decision-making and hurricane preparedness.  
  • Evacuation planning 
    GIS allows for the identification of proper evacuation and routing zones based on a storm’s projected path, transportation networks, and the affected region’s topography. 
  • Real-time data for public use 
    Real-time weather is presented in the form of interactive maps, such as the National Ocean Service’s nowCOAST web portal, and in any real-time map you use when tracking the movement and intensity of a storm. Many hurricane tracking apps also include evacuation zones and routes, shelters, and other details powered by GIS technology. 
  • Potential impacts 
    GIS-based models help predict the potential impacts to areas at risk, including vulnerable populations, affected infrastructure, and potential economic loss.  
  • Damage assessment 
    After a storm, officials use GIS-based models to assess damage in the affected region, which helps organize response and recovery efforts. 

Explore the Dynamic World of Geospatial Technology 

The University of Texas Permian Basin has been involved in the GIS and geospatial industry for over two decades, empowering us to develop a program curriculum with an in-depth industry perspective. Our 12-credit online GIS and Geospatial Graduate Certificate program dives into the wide-ranging applications of geoscience information systems and geospatial technology. You’ll master geoscience tools like GPS, mapping, and cartography and attain knowledge that’s applicable to a wide range of careers including: 

  • Meteorologist 
  • Geographer 
  • Energy and petroleum professional 
  • Environmental analyst 
  • Real estate developer 
  • Epidemiologist 
  • Natural resource manager 
  • Cartographer 

GIS is also commonly used by retail businesses, marketing companies and engineering companies and applied in scientific and criminal investigations, giving you an astonishing array of career options. 

The knowledge you’ll gain with our online GIS and geospatial graduate certificate is also applicable to critical real-life challenges, such as understanding the logistics of transportation, familiarity with regional geography in the event of a disaster, and even how to track hurricanes. With climate change causing more frequent and intense storms in many of our regions, understanding the process of how we track severe weather is essential.  

Embark on a journey of discovery and earn a unique geoscience credential that will set you apart in any industry! Classes are entirely online and asynchronous and can be completed on your own time. There are no prerequisite courses required. Apply here

Sources: 
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geographic-information-system-gis
https://www.gislounge.com/predicting-assessing-impact-hurricanes-gis

Geospatial technology is used in a range of sectors including government, utilities, environmental agencies, agriculture, telecommunications, and retail businesses, and the applications for geospatial technology, even within a single industry, are diverse and many. The COVID-19 pandemic not only gave us a new and essential reason to use the technology but catalyzed innovation within the geographic information systems (GIS) field. Let’s look at how geospatial technology was used to help us stay informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Harnessing GIS Tools in the Fight Against COVID-19 

Geospatial technology has been designed, adapted, and repurposed to identify places where COVID-19 is prevalent, notify individuals who may have been exposed to the disease, and provide other vital information. Here are a few examples: 

Trouble Spot Identifier 

Using geospatial analytics—a combination of spatial, statistical, and demographic information—government officials worldwide were able to track the number of COVID-19 cases within their own borders and beyond and sort them by death rates, survival rates, hospitalizations, and other criteria. When they linked this information with data regarding economic status, age, and other demographic details of those infected with COVID-19, these officials were able to identify locations where extra preventive measures were needed. 

Pocket-Sized COVID-19 Tracker 

Several African nations used GIS technology to develop contact tracing applications that track those infected with COVID-19 and notify app users who have come into contact with infected individuals. While this tool is valuable in the fight against COVID-19, it’s also highly controversial due to its inherent privacy concerns. While a few large U.S.-based technology companies developed their own apps, contact tracing never gained traction in the U.S. As CNN reported, “A lack of trust … killed many efforts to use technology as a contact tracing aid.” 

Up-to-the-Minute, User-Friendly Dashboard 

Technology created by Esri provided the basis for a user-friendly COVID-19 dashboard that enabled anyone to view data reflecting the number of cases, deaths, COVID-19 tests conducted, the disease’s expanding global scope, and other valuable information through a single source. The dashboard employed world maps that offered a visual representation of COVID-19 cases and allowed users to click on any locale to see the current data from that location.  

Artificial Intelligence Assistant 

Multiple organizations employed artificial intelligence (AI) to gather data from media outlets and other sources. Using this information in connection with geospatial data published on dashboards, the technology was able to produce highly accurate predictions about the spread of COVID-19. 

Credentials That Can Make a Lasting Impact 

For more than two decades, The University of Texas Permian Basin has enjoyed a unique relationship with the GIS and geospatial industries. This close connection has enabled UT Permian Basin to stay at the forefront of GIS and geospatial technology, trends, and best practices. Our insider’s perspective serves as the foundation for the curriculum of our GIS and Geospatial Certificate, a 12-credit graduate credential offered exclusively online. You can leverage the knowledge you gain in our program to serve in government, environmental organizations, and private companies, or expand your expertise within your current role in one of these sectors. As we’ve seen with GIS technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may even save lives through your efforts.  

A Fast, Flexible Program 

If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, you’re just four eight-week courses away from earning this valuable career credential! Our online GIS and Geospatial Certificate program offers one of the quickest ways to build new skills and gain a credential on your resume. Delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format, our self-paced program empowers you to view course lectures and complete coursework 24/7 from practically anywhere in the world. This flexibility allows you to keep up with your professional and personal responsibilities while you’re completing your certificate.  

Expand your professional horizons and make a more positive impact on the world with a graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate! 

Sources: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8822139/

Ask someone what a drone is used for and you’re likely to receive any number of responses. A photographer might tell you they’re great for shooting aerial footage, while a farmer might share how they use agricultural drones for targeted pesticide spraying. Someone might even mention hearing about a fleet of experimental delivery drones. You’re also sure to hear from detractors, many of whom only are only familiar with drones’ military or surveillance uses. So, which is it? Are drones a plaything for hobbyists or a conveyance for precision-guided munitions? Are they used for good or evil?

Like all technology, drones are not inherently good or evil. How our society uses drones is what matters, and lately, they’ve been used to accomplish some incredible things. We’ll be taking an in-depth look at drones and some of their more novel uses. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a use for drone technology in your own profession.

What Is a Drone?

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are remotely piloted or follow a preprogrammed flight path, and their development dates back to World War I. Developed in secret in 1918, the Kettering Aerial Torpedo was the first functioning UAV, although it was little more than a cobbled-together wooden biplane turned bomb. The “Bug,” as it came to be known, was designed to shed its wings and plummet onto its target once a predetermined number of engine revolutions were reached, but, alas, the war ended before the Bug could see battle.

A Bad Reputation

Drones are lighter and more efficient than traditional aircraft, requiring no systems to support an onboard pilot, so it was only a matter of time before world militaries began using them in earnest. The U.S. began deploying military drones for surveillance and reconnaissance beginning in the early 1980s, and by 1990, they were equipped with antitank missiles. Predator drones have since become a symbol of 21st-century warfare, especially in connection to the war on terror. The MQ-9 Reaper is the U.S. Air Force’s latest unmanned combat aerial vehicle, and with a wingspan of 66 feet, it’s hard to imagine how it could have anything in common with the recreational drone sitting on your local store shelf.

An Untapped Resource

Drone strikes have been heavily criticized for misidentifying targets and killing innocent civilians, giving rise to the notion that drones are inherently harmful. However, the same technology behind military drones has been refined and miniaturized into the lightweight, battery-operated drones we see today. Able to reach remote areas with little time or effort, drones are being adopted across industries as more businesses realize their untapped potential.

A Data-Driven Industry

Take for instance the geospatial industry. Geospatial data is information about objects, events, and other details attributed to a location on Earth. When you see a hurricane map showing areas of rainfall, flooding, and lightning, you’re seeing this data visualized in a geospatial information system (GIS). This data is also essential for geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), or the use of insight gleaned from imagery and geospatial information.

For a demonstration of the power and influence of geospatial data, you only need to look at the Cuban Missile Crisis. The intelligence gained from aerial surveillance photography not only revealed the presence of Cuban missile installations to President John F. Kennedy but also provided the evidence he needed to demand for their immediate removal during a televised speech. The ensuing 13-day political and military standoff ended with a deal struck between the U.S. and Soviet Union. If not for GEOINT, who knows how these events would have played out.

A Tool Unlike Any Other

Geospatial data influences everything from urban planning to biodiversity conservation to disaster management, but collecting it isn’t easy. Drones play a crucial role in this industry, where a GIS lives and dies by up-to-date data. While there are many modern survey tools, including GPS, their level of precision can’t compete with UAVs, which can be deployed with ease, operated automatically or remotely, and used to collect data in all sorts of environments while reducing risk to persons or property. If you’re pursuing a career in geoscience, environmental science, public health, business management, or social analytics, you may soon find yourself using drones and other GIS technologies.

Reach New Heights at UT Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online GIS and Geospatial Certificate program that will provide the experience you need to apply GIS and geospatial science and technology in your career. Throughout our program, you’ll work with ArcGIS online tools, GIS maps, and geographic data, all while learning how data can be visualized to inform decisions and solve problems. Mapping and Cartography is a course that may be of particular interest to you, as it explores how geospatial data, such as the data derived from drones, can be used to create 2D maps and 3D scenes to convey issues, events, and themes.

Courses are entirely online and asynchronous, enabling you to complete coursework on your own time, at your own pace. Maintain your current position while gaining real-world skills and preparing for a career in geology, cartography, geography, or one of the many other industries that rely on geospatial data. Apply to our online GIS and Geospatial Certificate program to prepare for a career in which drones and other GIS technologies are employed to make the world a better place.

Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/unmanned-aerial-vehicle
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/01/22/drone-technology-the-good-the-bad-and-the-horrible/?sh=ca4dfe341fb1
https://www.ibm.com/topics/geospatial-data

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been closely connected with city planning, surveying, and automobile navigation for many years. While these systems can tell you the best location for a city park, where your property lines are, and where your best friend’s new house is, GIS technology has far broader applications, many of which may surprise you. A large and diverse group of industries regularly rely on GIS, including:

  • Retail
  • Insurance
  • Manufacturing
  • Telecommunications
  • Petroleum
  • Electric and gas utilities
  • Health
  • Education

Much More Than Maps

Let’s take a moment to define geographic information systems before delving into how they’re used, how they work, and what they can tell us about our world. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, GIS is defined as “a computer system that analyzes and displays geographically referenced information,” and “uses data that is attached to a unique location.” Data is a wide-ranging term, which helps explain how GIS can be applied so broadly to provide many different kinds of valuable information. For example, GIS can:

  • Show where a hurricane is likely to hit or where an earthquake may occur and how these may impact the local population, economy, and landscape.
  • Pinpoint high-crime areas.
  • Identify areas where illicit drug use and addiction are rampant.
  • Highlight regions where famine, drought, and disease are prevalent.
  • Indicate where glaciers and other natural ice formations have begun to recede.
  • Track changes in weather patterns over time.
  • Predict areas in which motor vehicle traffic is likely to increase.
  • Reveal which industries are growing and which are shrinking within a targeted area.
  • Determine where a new business might have a competitive advantage.
  • Identify the best places to build or expand a community.
  • Pinpoint an optimal location for a new fire station.

How GIS Works

How does GIS provide such varied and important information to us? GIS works through a combination of specialized software and hardware systems that collect and analyze data from various sources positioned on the ground, above the earth’s atmosphere, and everywhere in between. These sources include:

  • Cartographic data or information which is drawn from maps and surveying tools.
  • Aerial photography, which can capture a wide range of images of topographic features.
  • Digital data that is captured by orbiting satellites.
  • Alphanumeric data arranged in spreadsheets.

What GIS Data Ultimately Does for Us

Today’s world is data-driven, and GIS plays a large part in that. The data that geographic information systems provide empowers people and organizations to make sound decisions that take future growth and potential roadblocks into account. The long-term perspective GIS provides can help us anticipate and address variables—from predicting the amount of space available for new construction to ensuring adequate access to natural resources. GIS offers far more immediate benefits as well, telling us in quantifiable terms which geographical areas are problematic and in need of some constructive change. Whether identifying existing problems or ones that may lie ahead, the use of GIS adds up to a smart investment for nearly any locality, business, or government agency.

Our GIS and Geospatial Certificate Can Provide a Career Boost

The University of Texas Permian Basin has served the GIS and geospatial industries for more than 20 years. This exceptional bond has empowered UT Permian Basin to stay current with the technologies and methods used in these fields. Equipped with an insider’s perspective, we’ve developed a robust curriculum for our graduate-level GIS and Geospatial Certificate.

By participating in this online graduate certificate program, you’ll build valuable skills that will enable you to thrive in a career in fields such as environmental sciences, social analytics, public health, and business management. Every course in this certificate program is taught by acclaimed faculty who also lead campus-based classes at UT Permian Basin.

The Quick, Convenient Way to Add a Graduate Credential to Your Resume

Designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, our 12-credit GIS and Geospatial Certificate is comprised of four courses, each lasting just eight weeks. This provides a speedy way to expand your professional skills and add a new credential to your resume. Our program is presented in an asynchronous, 100% online format that allows for unequaled flexibility. View course lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule from any location with internet access—whether in Texas or Thailand. That convenience means you can still manage your work and family responsibilities while earning your certificate.

See what our online graduate GIS and Geospatial Certificate can do for your resume and career!

Sources:
https://www.modestogov.com/1889/Benefits-of-GIS