URP 535 / SI 536: Urban Informatics Fall 2019 Instructor: Prof. Robert Goodspeed ([email protected]) This course provides students an introduction to the technical and applied dimensions of the emerging field of urban informatics, an interdisciplinary field of research and practice that uses information technology for the analysis, management, planning, inhabitation, and usability of cities. Given these diverse application areas, the course is centered on a series of technical lectures and hands-on labs that are designed to build on the knowledge typically covered in a standard course in statistics. Technical topics covered includes databases, SQL, web-based mapping and basic spatial data analysis. Seminar and lecture sessions cover topics related to the context and practice models associated with urban technologies, including civic technology, indicators, smart cities, and performance management. Students have an opportunity to explore innovative practice or implement a technical analysis through a class project. Prerequisite: An introductory course in statistics or quantitative methods is recommended, does not require programming or geographic information systems (GIS) background. Learning Goals: By the end of the term, students will be able to: Apply technical skills of data analysis, including creating a database, conducting an analysis utilizing SQL queries, and creating a web-based visualization and spatial analysis. Analyze the ethical implications of new urban technologies and develop responses to professional ethical situations in urban informatics. Demonstrate knowledge of key topics in urban informatics, such as open data, data infrastructures, and crowdsourcing. Compare and analyze alternative practice models in the urban informatics field such as civic technology, smart urban management, and smart cities. Create a novel analysis OR evaluate an emerging practice model associated with urban informatics. Course Requirements: Course assignments include five short technical labs, reading response posts, a group class presentation, and a final project. .