Intro to Geospatial Python Programming with QGIS (Virtual)

Would you like to learn how to enhance your open source mapping using coding? This free, two-hour workshop from the Map and Data Library will give you a hands-on introduction to geospatial Python programming using QGIS. Designed for learners who have some basic knowledge of GIS and Python, we’ll explore how Python can be used to automate workflows, perform spatial analysis, and interact with desktop GIS environments using QGIS and its Python API.

Together, we’ll work through interactive coding exercises and explore real-world use cases, including spatial data processing, map automation, and error handling. We’ll focus on using PyQGIS, the Python API for QGIS, to build custom scripts and explore how Python can extend QGIS's functionality. We'll also briefly explore how Python can be used to develop your own custom QGIS plugins and standalone scripts.

By the end of this workshop, you'll be able to:
    • Understand the role Python can play in working with maps.
    • Access and manipulate spatial layers using PyQGIS.
    • Automate common GIS tasks like buffering and clipping.
    • Load and style multiple map layers programmatically.
    • Explore how Python can be used to extend QGIS through plugins and standalone tools.

Prerequisites:

Although this is a beginner-friendly workshop, we recommend having taken our introductory QGIS and Python workshops. You can register for a Map and Data Library workshop (or view recordings of previous sessions) here: https://mdl.library.utoronto.ca/support/workshops-and-training

Audience:

This workshop is designed for U of T students and researchers.

Instructor:

Cole White, GIS Analyst

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a virtual event. If you want to follow along with the technical segment, you will need to have QGIS 3 installed on your computer. You can download it for free from qgis.org.