Design of a GIS-enabled Online Discussion Forum for Participatory Planning

Teresa Tang

GGE Graduate Seminar 2005

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Nature of Planning Problems

Not well-defined

Infinite number of possible solutions

Solutions to one problem may cause other problems

Involves diverse views, values, and objectives

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How to Solve Planning Problems?

Through public participation

Integrate people from all walks of life in the process to: Define issues, problems, and agenda Generate and assess options Recommend solutions

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Criteria for Successful Participation

Make sure participants can: Access relevant data, information, & tool

Planning discussions concern spatial problems that involve geographic objects, geographic extent, & spatial relationships (collectively known as spatial context)

Underlying Criteria

Spatial context of the discussion should be understood by every participant.

Clearly express and exchange their views among each other

Understand what is being decided and the rationales for decisions

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Research Question

Can GIS enhance communication during spatially-related discussions in participatory planning?

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PPGIS (Public Participation GIS)

Diverse definitions

Common element: focuses on the use of GIS by general public with the aim to involve them in spatial decision-making processes.

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Conventional GIS vs. PPGIS

GIS PPGIS

GoalsSolve spatial problems

Enhance communication, empower communities

FunctionsGeneral, multi-purpose applications

Specific, project-level activities

Users Domain specialists General public

Platform Standalone Web-based

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I think the land parcels adjacent to the existing conservation zone should be included as “conservation area”.

Current PPGIS – Tools that Aid CommunicationMap Hackney, U.K.http://www.map.hackney.gov.uk/HackneyMap.asp

Orange County Interactive Mapping, Florida http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/esd/gis/interactive_mapping.htm

Email + annotations + map attachment

Spatial context communication Views exchange

Email + annotations + map attachment

Spatial context communication Views exchange

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Current PPGIS – Tools that Aid Communication

Georeferenced comments

Views exchange (unstructured) Spatial context communication

Georeferenced comments

Views exchange (unstructured) Spatial context communication

Virtual Slaithwaite Project, U.K. (Evans, et. Al., 1999)

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Current PPGIS – Tools that Aid Communication

Argumentation Map, Germany Rinner (1999)

Online Discussion Forum + Georeferenced comments

Views exchange (structured) Spatial context communication

Online Discussion Forum + Georeferenced comments

Views exchange (structured) Spatial context communication

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Evaluation Matrix

ToolsMulti-way

flow of Information

Document evolution of

ideas

Transparent discussion

process

Communication of spatial context

Static maps / GIS maps Email / feedback form

Email + annotation tools + map attachment

SDSS VR + digital note Georeferenced comments Online discussion forum + georeferenced comments

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Proposed Prototype – GIS-Enabled Online Discussion Forum

Goal: To enhance communication by: Integrating online discussion forum &

web-based GIS

Storing & displaying textual discussion contributions along with spatial context (maps)

Facilitating exchange of views & mutual understanding

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Transport

Prototype Mock up (1)

online discussion forum Documents evolution of ideas and decisions Supports transparent exchange of views

Parking Problems

Beaverbrook StreetIssues and ideas related to this topic

UNB Campus ParkingIssues and ideas related to this topic

Bus Routes

Routes and ScheduleIssues and ideas related to this topic

web-based GIS Communicates spatial context

Integration Enhances effective communication

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Prototype Mock up (cont’d)

Parking Problems

Beaverbrook StreetIssues and ideas related to this topic

UNB Campus ParkingIssues and ideas related to this topic

Transport

Routes and ScheduleIssues and ideas related to this topic

Parking Problems

Beaverbrook StreetIssues and ideas related to this topic

UNB Campus ParkingIssues and ideas related to this topic

Bus Routes

Routes and ScheduleIssues and ideas related to this topic

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Street parking causes traffic jam on Beaverbrook St

I think on-street parking along Beaverbrook Street near UNB main gate is causing traffic jam. I suggest no parking should be permitted during rush hours.

J. Smith

Transport > Beaverbrook Street

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 4:47 pmPost subject: Street parking causes traffic jam

Transport

Prototype Mock up (cont’d)

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Prototype Mock up (cont’d)

Transport > Beaverbrook Street

M. Taylor

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2004 6:17 pmPost subject: Street parking causes traffic jam

Quote J. Smith:“I think on-street parking along Beaverbrook Street near

I agree. I see another problem. There’s a big hole near the grocery store which is slowing down the traffic!

Transport

Street parking causes traffic jam on Beaverbrook St

A big hole on the road slows

down traffic

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Other Proposed Functions

Search discussion contributions

Mapping turn on/off map layers, attribute query

Basic spatial query and analyses buffer, overlay, measure

Sketches and annotations

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Next Step

Implement the prototype

Evaluate the prototype

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Summary

Limitations of current PPGIS: cannot adequately address communication

and discussion needs for participation

Proposed prototype addresses these needs by: integrating a web-based GIS and online

discussion forum to support effective spatial discussions.

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Acknowledgement

Supervisors Dr. David Coleman Dr. Y. C. Lee

GIS Data David Fraser, UNB, GGE Felix McCarthy, City of Fredericton Michael Baldwin, UNB, Campus Services

& Planning

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References

Rinner, C. (1999). Argumentation Maps - GIS-based Discussion Support for Online Planning. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Bonn, Germany. Published as GMD Research Series No. 22/1999, Sankt Augustin, Germany.

Evans, A., R. Kingston, S. Carver, and I. Turton (1999). Web-based GIS used to enhance public democratic involvement. Paper presented at GeoComputation '99, Mary Washington College, Virginia, USA.

Map Hackney, U.K. http://www.map.hackney.gov.uk/HackneyMap.asp

Orange County Interactive Mapping, Florida http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/esd/gis/interactive_mapping.htm

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Questions & Comments