Sustainable Planning with NASA Earth Observation Data

As climate change and rapid urbanization reshape our world, planners need objective, global data to make sustainable decisions. This course introduces you to the foundations of sustainable development planning using freely available NASA Earth observation data and open-source GIS tools. You will transition from understanding core sustainability concepts to analyzing real-world environmental and urban challenges.\n\nWhat you'll learn:\n- Understand the core principles of sustainable development and resilient urban design\n- Navigate and retrieve open-source environmental data from NASA's public databases\n- Analyze urban heat islands, land cover changes, and water resources using geographic tools\n- Apply modern geospatial workflows to assess climate vulnerability and planning interventions\n- Practice interpreting spatial data to support policy decisions and community development goals\n\nThe course begins with fundamental definitions of sustainability and spatial data, guiding you through practical planning scenarios and modern data workflows using clear, step-by-step written explanations. This course is designed for beginning planners, environmental students, and civic advocates, with no prior experience with satellite data or GIS required. Start reading today to build data-driven solutions for a more sustainable future.