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PLAN 205Spatial and Demographic Analysis in Planning

Units
0.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Planning

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course focuses on spatial and demographic foundations and analytic approaches used in planning. Students will learn about basic concepts in demography, drivers of population change, as well as techniques for population forecasting and projections. Students will also develop their understanding of the types of spatial data, the foundations of visualizing spatial data, and basic cartography. The course will provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge to the collection and analysis of demographic and spatial data relevant to local planning issues.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • ENVS178 - Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0015835185 / 220T 18:30–20:20
LAB 101583628 / 28W 08:30–10:20
LAB 102583728 / 28W 14:30–16:20
LAB 103583827 / 28W 16:30–18:20
LAB 104583924 / 28Th 18:30–20:20
LAB 105584017 / 27Th 08:30–10:20
LAB 106584127 / 27W 12:30–14:20
LAB 107584213 / 27F 08:30–10:20
LAB 108813121 / 27Th 18:30–20:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

57% liked it60% easy70% useful

From 7 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Can get good grades without understanding concepts, so it takes some degree of self discipline to go through the lec slides and learn the stuff. honestly ur fault tho if u left this class without understanding it cause i didnt go to a single lecture and went to all the tutorials, spent tutorial time learning the lec slides, and left the course with a solid understanding and high mark

    Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The class was very boring, frustrating, and unnecessarily challenging in certain ways. That said, it was very easy to score high on the labs. Getting a 95 or even 100 was very achievable because the labs were simple and straightforward. The instructor explicitly encouraged the use of AI tools, saying that students were going to use AI anyway and might as well use Copilot. Like using the GeoDa software.
    The main issue was the grading structure. While it was easy to score very high on the labs, the midterm was more uncertain. There was only one midterm, and it felt harder than expected. If you consistently scored above 90 on the labs and kept up with the course material, the midterm was…

    Dec 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Not difficult, some struggle in courses where they try to push you off a ledge and get you to problem-solve yourself, if you can work a computer this is not hard work. Labs were easy 100s nearly every time and final was fair.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Definitly a challenging class, but worth your time to take. 75% of the grade was lab assignment, most of which were demonstrated in that weeks lecture. Lab assignments also weren't due during the lab section, but by the end of the weekend. This class is very flexible to schedule around.
    You'll still get stuck at times, but the TAs were super helpful. Final exam was difficult, but entirely multiple choice. Entire lectures were difficult to follow, but the core concepts that are evaluated were very clear. Just make sure you attend lectures and pay attention and you'll do fine.

    Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Oh my god I have never felt more stupid. Nothing makes sense and I can get full marks on lab, but I will fail the final because none of the concepts make sense even though I've been one of 20/180 students who actually show up. Prof will explain concepts using words you don't know and there will be no slides to compare to or study with. Prof hard to understand and concepts too large for the way she casually explains them. Definetly importan and cool stuff, but sheesh.

    Nov 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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