On 28 September, a two-month online training programme on geographic information systems (GIS) launched for 30 specialists from Integrity Cities and partner cities supported by the EUACI.
GIS are digital tools that collect, store, analyse and display data linked to specific locations on a map, such as land plots, buildings, roads or utility networks. They let users combine different types of information in one place and see how it relates to the territory.
This matters most in spatial planning, one of the areas of local governance most exposed to corruption risks. Decisions on land allocation, zoning and infrastructure placement are often made based on incomplete or inaccessible data. GIS tools make these processes more transparent and evidence-based.
The participants are heads and specialists of municipal departments responsible for urban planning and architecture, urban planning cadastre, land relations, digital development and IT.
Training is based on QGIS, free open-source software. The programme is highly practical. Each week combines video lessons, a homework assignment and an online meeting with lecturers.
The participants will learn to work with geospatial data, validate and convert data from different formats, analyse territories, automate routine tasks and prepare maps for print and online publication. Also topics cover cases relevant to municipal practice. These include calculating utility networks, managing data on municipal property leases, and finding optimal locations for social infrastructure based.
Six months after the course, an external team will assess how the participants apply their new skills in their daily work.
The EUACI continues to support Ukrainian cities to build transparent, integrity and accountable governance.
