There is growing recognition that sustainable solutions to environmental water management problems require a coordinated approach centred on the river basin scale.

This is reflected in the holistic nature and administrative structure of current regulations (e.g. river basin management plans for the Water Framework Directive) and government initiatives and policies (e.g. Defra’s catchment sensitive farming, the Environment Agency’s Catchment Based Approach). In this course, you will develop the skills to analyse and interpret environmental data within a spatial context and to assess them in light of current drivers (e.g. regulatory and socioeconomic).


At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • DurationSix days (2x3 days) (dates subject to change)
  • LocationOnline and Cranfield campus
  • Cost£1740

Course structure

This course is delivered via a mixture of face-to-face, and online lectures, held over two three-day sessions during consecutive weeks.

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain the spatial dimensions to and linkages between major environmental water management problems, including water supply, flood risk, water quality and habitat conservation and restoration,
  • Describe the socio-political context for integrated river basin management, including the relevant policy environment,
  • Analyse and interpret geospatial and temporal data, drawing appropriate, justifiable conclusions in the context of integrated catchment management,
  • Evaluate evidence and conclusions from key management and planning documents from industry and regulators,
  • Identify catchment-based solutions and devise an integrated river basin management plan based on existing data and documentation.

Core content

  • Introduction to GIS, geographical data and spatial analysis,
  • Policy framework for integrated catchment management in the UK,
  • Introduction to systems modelling for integrated catchment management,
  • Strategic catchment planning – identification of pressures, management priorities, and stakeholders to develop integrated solutions,
  • Natural capital and ecosystem services: policy context, role in integrated river basin management, geospatial valuation tools.

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

Further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.