Hello everyone in the ECCE community! My name is Oliver Siebertz, and I am a student at the University of Toronto, where I am pursuing a degree in urban studies with a strong focus on transportation infrastructure and GIS. I have shaped my bachelors degree to focus on how transportation systems function across the city and how they impact individuals. To help answer this question, I have focused on the use of GIS to help analyze how transit networks function.

I entered the field of GIS to help get a technical approach to my research I have worked on in my undergraduate degree, as well as to learn tools that will help me throughout my career. I have had many times where GIS has allowed me to get insights to urban planning and data research projects, helping me use software such as ArcGIS to visualize my findings. Additionally, I have been able to apply my GIS knowledge in my summer jobs, such as Metrolinx’s Bus Service Design department, where GIS was used to map train and bus stations.

I am passionate about GIS because of its ability to transform complex data into clear, visual insights that drive better decision-making. Whether mapping transit accessibility, analyzing urban growth, or optimizing transportation networks, I enjoy using GIS to uncover patterns that might not be immediately visible. The ability to integrate real-world data with geospatial tools allows for innovative problem-solving, and I find it exciting to work at the intersection of technology and urban planning. Every project I take on reinforces how GIS is not just a tool, but a critical lens for understanding and improving the world around us.

I am very excited about expanding my GIS knowledge and look forward to applying it to my studies and work, hopefully in the transportation planning area.