Urban data storytelling is the process and practice of using data to craft compelling narratives about cities, in order to communicate key insights, inform policy-making, build public-will, or advocate for change. Urban data storytelling combines data analysis, data visualization, and narrative techniques to make complex urban trends understandable and engaging for specific audiences, such as policymakers, funders, or community members.

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The Workshop in Urban Data Storytelling (WUDS) is a condensed, in-depth training program designed to help existing and aspiring city building professionals leverage data analysis and storytelling to strengthen and advance planning-related projects in their communities.

In 2025, two versions of WUDS are being offered: 

- A month of virtual learning + 2-days in-person workshops (May 2025 + June 4-5, 2025). This version is geared towards practitioners who are interested in diving deeper into narrative and data storytelling for a specific project.

- A 5-day, fully in-person version (May 26-30, 2025). This version is geared towards learners who are interested in learning technical skills, such as data processing, GIS, and coding.

The Workshop in Urban Data Storytelling (WUDS) is a condensed, in-depth training program designed to help existing and aspiring city building professionals leverage data analysis and storytelling to strengthen and advance planning-related projects in their communities.

In 2025, two versions of WUDS are being offered: 

- A month of virtual learning + 2-days in-person workshops (May 2025 + June 4-5, 2025). Preference will be given to applicants who have a specific, planning-related project they wish to use as the basis for the training. In addition, this version is geared towards practitioners who are interested in diving deeper into narrative and data storytelling for a specific project.

- A 5-day, fully in-person version (May 26-30, 2025). For this version, learners are not required to bring their own project. This program has a stronger emphasis on learning technical skills, such as data processing, GIS, and coding.

The Workshop in Urban Data Storytelling is open to teams or individual learners in the public, private, or nonprofit sector working on urban planning and policy issues in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants should have an interest in learning about data analysis and data storytelling and integrating data into their work.

WUDS Hybrid  (one month virtual + 2 days in-person): 

- Preference will be given to individuals or teams who have a specific planning-related project they wish to use as part of the training.

- The hybrid version is more geared towards practitioners who are interested in diving deeper into narrative and data storytelling for a specific project.

WUDS In-Person (5 days in-person): 

- Individuals/teams are not required to have a specific planning-related project.

- The in-person version has a stronger emphasis on building technical skills, such as data processing, GIS, and coding.

The Equitable Development Data Insight Training (EDDIT) initiative provides data analysis and storytelling training to individuals and organizations working towards urban equity in the U.S. and Canada. The goal of EDDIT is to help you effectively leverage data and narratives to communicate the impact of your work and build support for equitable development in your community.

EDDIT was launched in 2023 as a collaboration between the School of Cities at the University of Toronto and the Center for Community Innovation at UC Berkeley. EDDIT is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information about our team members, see the Team page.