Fanshawe College

Diploma in GIS and Urban Planning

What will our world look like in 20, 50 or 100 years? What kind of positive influence can we have on it? If these types of questions interest you, then check out the GIS and Urban Planning program, where you’ll learn how to conserve and restore natural environments, while enhancing built environments, culminating in sustainable communities. Graduate with the essential technical and design skills needed for a rewarding career as a planning, design, or AutoCAD technician, or as a GIS technician, operator or analyst.

Your Learning Experience

The two-year GIS and Urban Planning diploma program will help you understand land use planning, land development, land conservation and resource management in both rural and urban communities from the perspective of both the public and private sector. As well, you’ll have access to cutting-edge technologies including GIS (Geographical Information Systems), AutoCAD, 3D Visualizations and Presentation Graphics applications. This training will be used in conjunction with our unique case study method that allows you to participate in the conceptualization of actual land development projects.

Two co-operative work terms give you practical, hands-on experience with government, planning consultants or land development companies. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for an exciting career as a planning, design, or AutoCAD technician or a GIS operator or analyst.

The GIS and Urban planning program provides technical and design skills related to land use planning, land development, environmental design, land conservation and resource management in both urban and rural communities and from both private and public sector perspectives. Three major computer software technologies including GIS (Geographical Information Systems), CAD (Computer Aided Design) and Presentation Graphics are learned using case studies and actual land development projects. Students acquire skills to build and maintain spatial (geographic) databases; plan and design land development projects within a community context and prepare graphic presentations including 3D visualization of urban spaces.

Upon graduation, students are eligible to become a full member of the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians and the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), as well as a Registered Professional Planner through the Ontario Planners Institute (when combined with a related degree). Graduates of this program may also be eligible for advanced standing credit to the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Design and Planning Degree program at Fanshawe College.

With flexible learning options, you can choose between studying online or in a blended learning format and graduate with the skills and experience you need to hit the ground running in the workplace. This program is also available part-time.

Laptop Requirements

Please note: a laptop is recommended for this program. It is recommended that students use a PC laptop vs. a Mac laptop, as Windows is required to be able to load program-specific software. For more information on preferred requirements, visit the Laptop Requirements page on the Fanshawe CONNECTED website.

CIP Code: 04.0301