Development of Web-Based GIS Applications using Open Source Tools Training Course

Module 1: Introduction to Web GIS and Open Source Fundamentals

• What is Web GIS? Evolution and architecture.
• Components of a Web GIS application: Client, Server, Database.
• Advantages of Open Source GIS (OSGIS) for web development.
• Key open-source web GIS tools and their roles (e.g., PostGIS, GeoServer, Leaflet/OpenLayers).
• Understanding different web GIS architectures: Server-side rendering, client-side rendering, hybrid.
• Practical session: Setting up a local development environment and exploring a basic static web map example.

Module 2: Core Web Technologies for GIS

• HTML5: Structure of a web page for maps.
• CSS3: Styling web map elements and responsive design basics.
• JavaScript: The programming language of the web for interactive maps.
• Understanding JSON and XML for data exchange in Web GIS.
• Introduction to web APIs and how they facilitate data communication.
• Practical session: Creating a basic HTML page, applying CSS styles, and adding simple JavaScript interactivity.

Module 3: Geospatial Data Servers: GeoServer and PostGIS

• Introduction to PostGIS: Spatial database extension for PostgreSQL.
• Storing, querying, and managing spatial data in PostGIS.
• Introduction to GeoServer: Open-source server for sharing geospatial data.
• Publishing vector data (WFS, WMS) and raster data (WMS, WCS) using GeoServer.
• Configuring data stores and layers in GeoServer.
• Practical session: Setting up a PostGIS database, importing spatial data, and then publishing it as a WMS/WFS service using GeoServer.

Module 4: Client-Side Web Mapping Libraries: Leaflet.js

• Introduction to Leaflet.js: A lightweight, mobile-friendly interactive map library.
• Setting up a basic Leaflet map: Adding base layers, markers.
• Overlaying vector data (GeoJSON) and raster data (WMS tiles) on Leaflet.
• Adding pop-ups, tooltips, and interactivity to Leaflet maps.
• Handling map events and user interactions in Leaflet.
• Practical session: Building an interactive web map using Leaflet.js, displaying GeoJSON data, and adding pop-up information.

Module 5: Client-Side Web Mapping Libraries: OpenLayers

• Introduction to OpenLayers: A powerful, full-featured mapping library.
• Setting up a basic OpenLayers map: Views, layers, controls.
• Adding different map layers: Tile layers, vector layers, WMS layers.
• Interacting with map features: Select, modify, draw.
• Customizing controls and interactions in OpenLayers.
• Practical session: Building an interactive web map using OpenLayers, connecting to a GeoServer WMS/WFS layer, and implementing basic query functionality.

Module 6: Styling and Interactivity with Web GIS

• Styling vector data on the client-side (e.g., GeoJSON styling in Leaflet/OpenLayers).
• Server-side styling with SLD (Styled Layer Descriptor) in GeoServer.
• Implementing dynamic styling based on data attributes.
• Adding interactive elements: Layer toggles, search bars, attribute tables.
• Creating custom controls and user interfaces for web maps.
• Practical session: Applying dynamic styling to a vector layer based on attribute values and adding a layer control to the web map.

Module 7: Building Web GIS Applications with Python (Flask/Django)

• Introduction to server-side web development with Python.
• Using Flask or Django for building web backends.
• Handling HTTP requests (GET/POST) for spatial data.
• Connecting web applications to PostGIS databases.
• Serving dynamic geospatial content from the server to the client.
• Practical session: Developing a simple Flask/Django application that fetches spatial data from a PostGIS database and serves it as GeoJSON to a Leaflet map.

Module 8: Advanced Web GIS Concepts and API Integration

• Consuming external geospatial APIs (e.g., geocoding, routing APIs).
• Integrating third-party data services and basemaps.
• Asynchronous data loading and performance optimization for large datasets.
• Introduction to Spatial Query Languages (e.g., CQL filters in GeoServer).
• Handling user input for complex spatial queries.
• Practical session: Integrating a geocoding API into a web map application to search for locations and display them.

Module 9: Deploying and Securing Web GIS Applications

• Web hosting options for geospatial applications (e.g., shared hosting, VPS, cloud).
• Setting up a web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx) for your application.
• Basics of web security for GIS applications (e.g., authentication, authorization).
• Protecting spatial data and services.
• Version control with Git for collaborative development and deployment.
• Practical session: Deploying a simple web GIS application to a local web server or a basic cloud instance.

Module 10: Project-Based Application and Best Practices

• Review of the entire web GIS development workflow.
• Designing and implementing a complete web GIS application from scratch.
• Best practices for code organization, documentation, and scalability.
• Debugging and troubleshooting common issues in web GIS development.
• Future trends in web GIS: 3D mapping, real-time data, mobile GIS.
• Practical session: Participants work on a comprehensive mini-project, integrating various learned concepts to build a functional web GIS application for a specific scenario (e.g., displaying environmental monitoring data, managing urban assets).

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588