About the course
This online training course provides a practical, in-depth introduction to the Cities Spatial Model, designed for policymakers, urban practitioners, and analysts working on city planning and economic development. The course builds a clear intuition for how the model works and why spatial and equilibrium effects matter for urban policy.
Participants will learn what data the model requires, where to find reliable sources, and how to clean, structure, and manipulate datasets into the formats needed for analysis using QGIS and R. Step-by-step guidance is provided on running the model in R, interpreting outputs, and using visual tools to explore results. The course also focuses on how to communicate findings clearly and effectively, translating technical outputs into policy-relevant insights that can inform real-world decisions. There is also an option to use the Shiny app interface - enabling users to upload data and run the basic model without any coding whatsoever.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with both the conceptual understanding and practical skills needed to apply the Cities Spatial Model to real urban challenges, supporting better-informed, evidence-based planning and investment decisions. Please note that there is no certificate provided on completion of the course, it is designed for practical application and knowledge sharing.
While researchers and students are welcome to participate, the emphasis will be on practical applications of the model rather than its technical details. For those in search of a more in-depth understanding of quantitative spatial models, we encourage you to engage further here: https://www.quantitativeurbanmodels.com/toolkits
