School Site Selection Analysis using Google Earth Engine

What you'll learn
Understand how to define an Area of Interest (AOI) and integrate spatial datasets using Google Earth Engine for suitability analysis.
Learn to preprocess and normalize key geographic layers such as roads, slope, land cover, and population density in GEE.
Develop skills to combine multiple criteria using weighted overlay methods for site suitability mapping in a real-world context.
Gain hands-on experience exporting geospatial results and visualizing suitability maps with customized symbology and parameters in GEE.
Requirements
No prior experience with Google Earth Engine is required - the course will guide you step-by-step.
Description
Selecting the best locations for schools is crucial for community development, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. This course introduces the foundational tools and methodologies needed to conduct site suitability analysis specifically for school site selection using remote sensing, GIS, and Google Earth Engine (GEE). Beginning with the fundamentals of remote sensing, students will understand how satellite imagery and spatial data can reveal critical environmental and social information.The course then delves into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) basics and their powerful role in mapping and spatial decision-making. Learners will explore key factors influencing school site suitability such as road proximity for easy access, terrain slope for safety and construction feasibility, population density to serve maximum students, and land cover to preserve green areas and avoid unsuitable zones.Google Earth Engine is introduced as a powerful cloud-based platform enabling the processing of large geospatial datasets efficiently. Students will learn to implement site suitability models by integrating and normalizing diverse datasets, applying weighted overlays, and generating maps that visually communicate suitability scores.Practical exercises culminate in applying these concepts to real-world scenarios, empowering learners to conduct school site selection analyses. By the course's end, participants will be equipped with the technical skills and spatial reasoning necessary to support urban planners, educators, and policymakers in making informed decisions for sustainable school infrastructure development.
Who this course is for
Students, researchers and professionals in agriculture, environmental science, geography, or remote sensing looking to apply satellite data in real-world scenarios.
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