Web-based public participation geographical information systems: an aid to local environmental decision-making

• Published in: Computers, environment and urban systems Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 109 - 125
• Main Authors: Kingston, R., Carver, S., Evans, A., Turton, I.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Exact sciences and technology; GIS; Miscellaneous; Planning For Real; Public participation; Structural analysis. Stresses; Urban development; Web; GIS; Web; Public participation; Planning For Real; Stress analysis; Decision support system; Community participation; Local planning; Case study; Advantage; Computer program; Sociodemographic factor; Geographic information system; Internet; Planning; Web site; Data gathering; Method study
• ISSN: 0198-9715; 1873-7587
• DOI: 10.1016/S0198-9715(99)00049-6

Current research examining the potential of the World-Wide Web as a means of increasing public participation in local environmental decision making in the UK is discussed. The paper considers traditional methods of public participation and argues that new Internet-based technologies have the potential to widen participation in the UK planning system. Evidence is provided of the potential and actual benefits of online spatial decision support systems in the UK through a real environmental decision support problem in a village in northern England. The paper identifies key themes developing in this area of Web-based geographical information systems (GIS) and provides a case-study example of an online public participation GIS from inception to the final phase in a public participation process. It is shown that in certain UK planning problems and policy formulation processes, participatory online systems are a useful means of informing and engaging the public and can potentially bring the public closer to a participatory planning system.