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Drones & Uav Mapping For Surveying & Land Use Planning Training Course

Introduction:

Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized the world of surveying and land use planning. These advanced technologies provide an efficient, cost-effective, and accurate way to capture high-resolution aerial imagery, map vast landscapes, and gather data for land management. The Drones & UAV Mapping for Surveying & Land Use Planning Training Course equips professionals with the necessary skills and tools to leverage UAVs for topographic surveys, land use planning, and geospatial data collection. Participants will learn to operate drones, process aerial data, and apply the information in real-world land use scenarios.

With rapid advancements in UAV technology, this course offers insights into the use of drones for surveying, environmental monitoring, urban planning, infrastructure inspection, and more, ultimately empowering professionals to enhance their project delivery and outcomes.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals and organizations in the following fields:

  • Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers looking to enhance their data collection and mapping capabilities.
  • Urban and Rural Planners interested in utilizing drone technology for land-use assessment and planning.
  • Civil Engineers and Construction Professionals seeking to integrate UAVs into their infrastructure projects.
  • Environmental Consultants and Land Managers working on ecological surveys and environmental monitoring.
  • Government Officials and Regulatory Authorities involved in land use policy, management, and monitoring.
  • GIS Analysts and Geospatial Professionals aiming to incorporate aerial mapping data into GIS systems.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand UAV Technology: Learn the fundamentals of drone technology, UAV flight principles, and the components involved in drone mapping systems.
  • Operate Drones Safely: Gain hands-on experience in drone operation, including take-off, flight paths, and landings, in compliance with aviation regulations.
  • Collect High-Quality Aerial Data: Master the techniques for capturing high-resolution imagery, LiDAR, and thermal data with UAVs for surveying and mapping purposes.
  • Process and Analyze Aerial Data: Learn how to process raw drone data using specialized software like Pix4D and DroneDeploy to create accurate maps, 3D models, and point clouds.
  • Apply Drone Data for Land Use Planning: Understand how UAV-based data can be used in land-use planning, zoning, urban growth, and environmental management.
  • Integrate Drone Data into GIS: Learn how to integrate drone mapping outputs into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for advanced spatial analysis and decision-making.
  • Optimize Surveying Projects: Explore how drones can improve accuracy, reduce costs, and accelerate the surveying process, especially for large-scale projects.
  • Understand Legal and Ethical Considerations: Get familiar with drone operation regulations, airspace restrictions, and privacy laws related to UAV usage in surveying and land use planning.
  • Conduct Real-World Applications: Apply learned concepts in practical exercises to solve common surveying and planning challenges through drone technology.
  • Improve Reporting and Presentation: Gain skills in preparing reports and visual presentations using drone-generated data for stakeholders, planners, and decision-makers.

This training course is designed to teach participants the full scope of using drones and UAVs in surveying and land use planning. From understanding the drone technology to applying UAV-collected data in GIS systems, this course prepares professionals to improve their mapping, planning, and decision-making capabilities using cutting-edge drone technology. With real-world applications in urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation, this course offers the expertise required to revolutionize land management workflows.

Duration

10 Days

Course content

Module 1: Introduction to Drones and UAV Technology for Surveying & Land Use Planning

  • Overview of drones and UAV technology.
  • Types of drones used for surveying and mapping.
  • Key UAV components: GPS, cameras, sensors, and software.
  • Importance of drones in modern surveying and land use planning.

Module 2: Drone Flight Principles and Operations

  • Basic flight principles of UAVs.
  • Manual vs. automated drone operations.
  • How to prepare drones for flight: calibration, battery management, and pre-flight checks.
  • Safety protocols and guidelines for drone operation.

Module 3: Drone Surveying Equipment and Software

  • Overview of UAV surveying equipment and accessories.
  • Key software tools for UAV data processing: Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft Metashape.
  • Choosing the right drone and software for different land use projects.

Module 4: UAV Mapping and Data Collection Techniques

  • Techniques for capturing aerial imagery and video.
  • How to plan and execute flight missions for high-quality mapping.
  • Collecting georeferenced data: Photos, LiDAR, and thermal imaging.
  • Best practices for accurate data collection.

Module 5: Aerial Surveying with LiDAR and Thermal Imaging

  • Introduction to LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology.
  • Using UAVs for thermal imaging in surveying.
  • Applications of LiDAR and thermal data in land use planning and environmental monitoring.
  • Post-processing of LiDAR and thermal data.

Module 6: Data Processing for UAV Mapping

  • Introduction to data processing workflows for UAV imagery.
  • Stitching, georeferencing, and creating orthomosaics.
  • Generating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and 3D point clouds.
  • Software tools and best practices for processing UAV data.

Module 7: 3D Modeling and Visualization Techniques

  • Creating 3D models from UAV data.
  • Applications of 3D terrain models in land use planning and urban development.
  • Visualization techniques for better decision-making and stakeholder presentations.
  • Integrating 3D models with GIS platforms.

Module 8: Integrating UAV Data with GIS for Land Use Planning

  • The role of GIS in analyzing UAV-collected data.
  • How to import and visualize UAV data in GIS software like ArcGIS and QGIS.
  • Advanced spatial analysis for land use planning: zoning, land coverage, and land suitability analysis.
  • Creating maps and reports for stakeholders using GIS and UAV data.

Module 9: Land Use Planning and Urban Development with UAV Data

  • How UAV data can assist in urban growth monitoring and planning.
  • Applications of UAV mapping in zoning, infrastructure planning, and urban design.
  • Using drones for measuring land use changes over time.
  • Case studies of successful UAV data integration in land use planning projects.

Module 10: Environmental Monitoring and Conservation with UAVs

  • Role of UAVs in environmental conservation and monitoring.
  • Mapping natural resources, vegetation, and ecosystems.
  • Using drones for monitoring deforestation, pollution, and land degradation.
  • UAV applications in coastal management, forestry, and wildlife monitoring.

Module 11: Legal and Regulatory Considerations in Drone Surveying

  • Overview of legal requirements for UAV operations in land use planning.
  • Understanding airspace regulations and drone licensing.
  • Privacy concerns and ethical considerations in drone surveying.
  • Compliance with local and international drone laws and regulations.

Module 12: Cost Efficiency and ROI of UAV-based Surveying

  • Cost-benefit analysis of UAV mapping vs. traditional surveying methods.
  • How drones reduce surveying time and expenses.
  • Return on Investment (ROI) for drone technology in land use planning.
  • Case studies showcasing the financial benefits of UAV surveying.

Module 13: Drone Data Quality Assurance and Accuracy

  • Ensuring data accuracy in UAV surveying.
  • How to perform ground control point (GCP) checks and validation.
  • Accuracy considerations for different land use scenarios.
  • Methods for minimizing errors and enhancing data precision.

Module 14: Project Management and Planning for UAV Mapping

  • Developing a UAV mapping project plan: from objectives to deliverables.
  • Managing drone survey teams and workflows.
  • Scheduling drone flights for optimal data collection.
  • Managing drone maintenance, repairs, and regulatory compliance.

Module 15: Real-World Applications and Case Studies

  • Overview of successful UAV-based surveying projects in land use planning.
  • Case studies in agriculture, construction, urban planning, and disaster management.
  • How professionals have applied drone data for smarter land use decisions.
  • Challenges faced and lessons learned in UAV-based surveying and planning.

Course Summary:

This course equips professionals in surveying, urban planning, environmental management, and related fields with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use drones and UAVs for land use planning. From understanding drone operations to processing aerial data and integrating it into GIS systems, participants will gain the expertise needed to enhance their land planning strategies, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.

Course Schedule
Dates Fees Location Apply
07/04/2025 - 18/04/2025 $3000 Nairobi
14/04/2025 - 25/04/2025 $3500 Mombasa
14/04/2025 - 25/04/2025 $3000 Nairobi
05/05/2025 - 16/05/2025 $3000 Nairobi
12/05/2025 - 23/05/2025 $5500 Dubai
19/05/2025 - 30/05/2025 $3000 Nairobi
02/06/2025 - 13/06/2025 $3000 Nairobi
09/06/2025 - 20/06/2025 $3500 Mombasa
16/06/2025 - 27/06/2025 $3000 Nairobi
07/07/2025 - 18/07/2025 $3000 Nairobi
14/07/2025 - 25/07/2025 $5500 Johannesburg
14/07/2025 - 25/07/2025 $3000 Nairobi
04/08/2025 - 15/08/2025 $3000 Nairobi
11/08/2025 - 22/08/2025 $3500 Mombasa
18/08/2025 - 29/08/2025 $3000 Nairobi
01/09/2025 - 12/09/2025 $3000 Nairobi
08/09/2025 - 19/09/2025 $4500 Dar es Salaam
15/09/2025 - 26/09/2025 $3000 Nairobi
06/10/2025 - 17/10/2025 $3000 Nairobi
13/10/2025 - 24/10/2025 $4500 Kigali
20/10/2025 - 31/10/2025 $3000 Nairobi
03/11/2025 - 14/11/2025 $3000 Nairobi
10/11/2025 - 21/11/2025 $3500 Mombasa
17/11/2025 - 28/11/2025 $3000 Nairobi
01/12/2025 - 12/12/2025 $3000 Nairobi
08/12/2025 - 19/12/2025 $3000 Nairobi