How to Be Urban GIS Analyst - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 9, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Urban GIS Analyst is a profession that applies geographic information systems (GIS) technology to the analysis of urban and regional problems. GIS enables the analyst to integrate, analyze, and display spatial data from multiple sources to create visual displays which provide information about people, places, and objects. As a result of this technology, Urban GIS Analysts are able to identify patterns, relationships, and trends in the data, and develop solutions to urban and regional problems.

This in turn helps to improve the quality of life for citizens, enhance economic development, and promote efficient urban planning. Urban GIS Analysts are important contributors to public safety, environmental protection, and transportation planning.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Most employers prefer to hire urban GIS analysts who have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in GIS, geography, planning, or a related field. During your studies, be sure to gain knowledge of urban planning, land use planning, geography, and computer programming.
Get Experience. Most employers prefer to hire urban GIS analysts with at least one to two years of professional experience in the field. Consider internships, volunteer work, and part-time work in the GIS field.
Become Certified. Becoming certified as a GIS professional can help you stand out from the competition and show employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as an urban GIS analyst.
Network. Make sure to network with professionals in the field and attend relevant conferences and seminars to meet other professionals in the industry and stay up-to-date on new developments.
Review Job Postings. Review job postings for urban GIS analyst positions and make sure you meet the requirements before applying.

Urban GIS analysts must be reliable and efficient in order to provide accurate data and analysis for their clients. To ensure accuracy and speed, they must be able to integrate multiple data sources, such as demographic, economic, and geographic information systems, into a single comprehensive analysis. They must also have a deep understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) software, to accurately manipulate and analyze data.

Furthermore, they must have the ability to apply their knowledge of GIS technology to solve spatial problems and create visualizations to present the data in a clear and concise way. Reliability and efficiency are essential skills for urban GIS analysts, as they are responsible for providing detailed, accurate, and timely data and analysis to their clients.

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Job Description

Develop, implement and maintain GIS applications, databases, and tools for urban planning projects.
Create and update GIS datasets, maps, and visualizations for urban planning projects.
Perform spatial analysis to support strategic urban planning initiatives.
Collect, analyze, and interpret spatial data from a variety of sources including aerial imagery, remote sensing, field surveys, and cartographic sources.
Develop and maintain GIS web applications for urban planning projects.
Support the development of digital tools for urban planning projects.
Develop geospatial models for urban planning initiatives.
Identify opportunities to use GIS to improve current urban planning processes.
Lead and facilitate the development of GIS-based solutions for urban planning projects.
Manage and maintain GIS databases related to urban planning projects.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of urban planning principles and theory
Familiarity with GIS software, such as ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, and other mapping programs
Ability to analyze, interpret, and visualize spatial data
Understanding of GIS database design and maintenance
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, and R
Ability to interpret urban datasets and create meaningful maps
Competence in creating visualizations, reports, and other materials
Knowledge of urban demographics and socioeconomic trends
Understanding of land use regulations and zoning ordinances
Ability to create cartographic visuals and interpret aerial imagery.

Urban GIS Analyst is a profession that requires a set of specialized skills to be successful. One of the most important skills for an Urban GIS Analyst is to have a strong understanding of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, which is essential in collecting, managing, and analyzing geospatial data. Furthermore, they must also be able to interpret and present spatial data in meaningful ways, such as visualizing trends and patterns.

effective communication skills are needed to explain data analysis results to stakeholders and decision makers. Finally, having knowledge of the related fields such as cartography, remote sensing, and land surveying can help to understand the complexity of urban spaces and better prepare an Urban GIS Analyst to tackle their objectives. With all these skills combined, Urban GIS Analyst can help to solve complex urban issues and promote sustainable development.

Urban Placemaking Specialist, Urban Landscape Architect, and Urban Designer/Artist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How would you rate your experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?
What GIS software are you most familiar with?
What processes have you used to create spatial data layers?
How do you evaluate spatial data accuracy?
Describe a project where you integrated GIS with other systems.
What techniques do you use to visualize and analyze spatial data?
How do you use GIS for urban planning and analysis?
What challenges have you faced while working with GIS data?
Describe a project where you had to create maps from raw spatial data.
How do you use GIS tools to support decision-making processes?

Common Tools in Industry

ArcGIS. A comprehensive GIS software suite used to view, analyze, manage, and create geographic data. (e. g. Create a map of a city to visualize patterns of urban development. )
QGIS. An open source GIS software used to analyze and visualize geographic data. (e. g. Create a 3D map of a city to better understand the urban landscape. )
OpenStreetMap. An open source mapping platform used to collect and manage geographic data. (e. g. Collect and analyze street-level data to understand the impact of urban development on local businesses. )
Tableau. A data visualization tool used to create interactive maps and graphics. (e. g. Create an interactive map to track the spread of a virus in an urban area. )
Python. A programming language used to create custom geospatial analysis scripts and applications. (e. g. Create an application to automatically analyze changes in urban land use over time. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
Association of American Geographers (AAG)
Association of Geographic Information Laboratories for Europe (AGILE)
International Association of Geodesy (IAG)
International Cartographic Association (ICA)
International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)
International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
The Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS)

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Common Important Terms

Geodatabase. A geodatabase is a database designed to store, manage, and query spatial information. It can be used to store points, lines, polygons, and other geographic features.
Geospatial Analysis. Geospatial analysis is the process of analyzing geographic data to answer questions or solve problems. It includes such techniques as spatial interpolation, nearest neighbor analysis, and correlation analysis.
Geographic Information System (GIS). A GIS is a computer system used to store, manipulate, analyze, and visualize geographic data. It is used in urban planning, environmental management, public safety, and other fields.
Remote Sensing. Remote sensing is the process of collecting information about the Earths surface using sensors on satellites or other aircraft. It can be used to detect changes in land cover or land use over time.
Cartography. Cartography is the science of producing maps or representing geographical information. It involves selecting data to be included on a map and then creating a representation of the data on a two-dimensional surface.
GPS. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite-based navigation system that uses signals from satellites to provide location and time information to users on the ground.
Geocoding. Geocoding is the process of assigning geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) to a particular address. This is used to map addresses and other locations on a map.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Urban GIS Analyst?

An Urban GIS Analyst is a professional who specializes in geographic information systems (GIS) and their application in urban areas. They use GIS technology to analyze and manage data in order to make informed decisions about urban planning, development, and management.

What skills does an Urban GIS Analyst possess?

An Urban GIS Analyst typically has expertise in data analysis, cartography, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and database management. They also have experience in programming languages such as Python or R, and are proficient in using GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

What type of work does an Urban GIS Analyst do?

An Urban GIS Analyst typically works on projects related to urban planning, development, and management. Examples of common tasks include creating and analyzing maps, developing models to visualize data, and creating databases to store information.

What qualifications are needed to become an Urban GIS Analyst?

Generally, a bachelor's degree in GIS or a related field such as geography, urban planning, or computer science is required to become an Urban GIS Analyst. Additional experience in coding and database management may also be beneficial.

How much does an Urban GIS Analyst typically earn?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an Urban GIS Analyst is $65,912 per year. However, salaries can vary greatly based on experience and location.