PLANNING FOR SMART URBAN ECOSYSTEMS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING

• Published in: Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management Vol. 4; no. 3 (12); pp. 5 - 21
• Main Author: YIGITCANLAR, Tan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bucharest Research Center in Public Administration and Public Services Academy of Economic Studies 01.08.2009; Academia de Studii Economice Bucuresti; Research Centre in Public Administration & Public Services
• Subjects: Air pollution; Appropriate technology; Artificial intelligence; Biodiversity; Capacity development; Carrying capacity (Ecology); City planning; Climate change; Communities; Community capacity building; Community involvement; Decision making; Decision support systems; Ecological sustainability; Ecosystems; Environmental aspects; Environmental management; Environmental protection; Geographic information systems; Hazardous materials; Information technology; Natural resources; Outdoor air quality; Public access; Public awareness; Public interest; Remote sensing; Smart growth; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable cities; Sustainable communities; Sustainable development; Sustainable technology; Technological change; Technology application; Urban development; Urban ecology; Urbanization; Virtual reality; Australia
• ISSN: 2065-3913; 2065-3921

Since the industrial revolution, our world has experienced rapid and unplanned industrialization and urbanization. As a result, we have had to cope with serious environmental challenges. In this context, an explanation of how smart urban ecosystems can emerge, gains a crucial importance. Capacity building and community involvement have always been key issues in achieving sustainable development and enhancing urban ecosystems. By considering these, this paper looks at new approaches to increase public awareness of environmental decision making. This paper will discuss the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), particularly Web-based Geographic Information Systems (Web-based GIS) as spatial decision support systems to aid public participatory environmental decision making. The paper also explores the potential and constraints of these web-based tools for collaborative decision making.