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In this course, you will learn how to use QGIS to analyze and detect changes over time using change-detection techniques. You will work with various QGIS plugins to compare vector and raster data, such as land-use data, satellite imagery, and thematic maps from multiple time periods. The focus is on identifying, quantifying, and visualizing spatial changes. Upon completion, you will be able to apply change-detection results in analysis, monitoring, and policy or research reports.
Would you like to learn how to map spatial changes objectively and reproducibly? In the QGIS Change Detection course, you’ll learn how to use QGIS to analyze and interpret changes between different points in time, without any programming. You’ll discover how to use change detection for monitoring, evaluation, and supporting policy and research.
QGIS is a powerful open-source GIS platform for analyzing and visualizing geographic data. In this course, you’ll build on your QGIS fundamentals and learn to work with multiple change detection methods and plugins for both vector and raster data. You’ll compare maps, satellite imagery, and thematic layers from different periods and learn how to systematically detect and quantify differences.
Change detection in QGIS goes beyond visual comparison. You will learn how to make changes in land use, development, infrastructure, nature, or the environment measurable, how to recognize noise and uncertainty, and how to interpret results correctly. In doing so, you will combine GIS analysis with clear visualizations such as difference maps, statistics, and thematic overviews.
In QGIS Change Detection, you’ll learn how to apply the results in practical workflows, such as for monitoring, reporting, impact studies, or policy analysis. The course demonstrates how to use open-source tools to perform reliable and repeatable change-detection analyses within your existing GIS environment.
Please note! Prior knowledge of GIS (QGIS) is required for this course. If you do not yet have this, we recommend taking the QGIS basics course first.
In this course, you’ll learn step-by-step how to analyze changes over time using QGIS. You’ll start with the basics: what change detection is, what types exist, and how to ensure data from different time points are properly comparable.
Next, you’ll get hands-on experience with:
You will not only learn how to detect changes, but also how to use the results responsibly in analysis and decision-making.
This course is unique because it approaches change detection entirely from a GIS practice perspective. No theoretical models without context, but directly applicable analysis techniques within QGIS. You’ll learn how to record changes in a reproducible and verifiable way.
Among other things, you’ll learn:
The course is practical, open source, and focused on realistic GIS applications.
This course is intended for GIS users who want to substantively analyze and substantiate changes over time. Do you work in spatial planning, the environment, ecology, infrastructure, agriculture, research, cartography, or policy? Then this course offers direct added value.
You need a basic knowledge of QGIS, but no experience with advanced remote sensing or programming. Do you want to not only visualize spatial changes, but also measure and explain them? Then QGIS Change Detection is a logical next step.
The first day focuses on understanding change detection and properly preparing data in QGIS. You’ll learn what change detection is, the different types (vector- and raster-based), and how to make datasets from different time periods comparable. You will then get hands-on experience with simple change detection methods, such as comparing vector layers, creating difference maps, and detecting changes in land use and objects. The day concludes with interpreting and validating the initial results.
On day two, you’ll delve into more advanced change-detection workflows. You’ll work with raster data and satellite imagery, learn to compare classifications and time points, and quantify changes using statistics and area calculations. The focus is on correctly interpreting changes, dealing with noise and uncertainty, and visualizing results in clear maps and tables. By the end of the day, you will be able to perform complete change-detection analyses and apply the results in monitoring, reporting, and policy or research contexts.
Do you have questions about the course content? Or are you unsure whether the course aligns with your learning goals or preferences? Would you prefer an in-house or private course? We’d be happy to help.
No, all change-detection analyses are performed within QGIS using standard tools and plugins. No programming knowledge is required.
A basic understanding of QGIS is sufficient, such as working with vector and raster layers. Experience with remote sensing or statistics is not required.
You will work with both vector and raster data, including land-use maps and satellite imagery from different time periods.
Change detection can be used to monitor land use, urban development, environmental changes, infrastructure, nature conservation, and policy and research reports
