Mapping Urban Environmental Risks Using Open Source GIS

Cities across the world are facing a convergence of environmental risks, from flooding and extreme heat events to air pollution and water scarcity. These threats are increasingly uneven in their impacts and deeply shaped by local geography. This book offers a practical, accessible guide to understanding and responding to these threats using open-source geographic information systems (GIS) and freely available spatial data. Through real world case studies, the author discusses each risk separately to meet the needs of decision-making when urban threats happen.

Features

Focuses on mapping specific urban threats such as water scarcity, flood risk, fire, urban heat islands, and more. Takes a risk-by-risk approach grounded in the everyday realities of each city and using geospatial tools to support action. Shows how to analyze urban threats using open tools like QGIS, freely accessible satellite imagery, and public datasets. Emphasizes concepts and decision-making rather than software mastery, making it suitable for a variety of readers.

By demystifying geospatial analysis and emphasizing hands-on, place-based projects, this book empowers readers, such as students, city planners, journalists, community advocates, and public health officials alike to investigate environmental risks in their own neighborhoods and use maps to support smarter, more equitable action.