1. Design of a GIS-enabled Online Discussion Forum for Participatory Planning Teresa Tang GGE Graduate Seminar 2005

2. 2 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

3. 3 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

4. 4 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

5. 5 Research Question Can GIS enhance communication during spatially-related discussions in participatory planning?

6. 6 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.

7. 7 Conventional GIS vs. PPGIS GISPPGIS Goals Solve spatial problems Enhance communication, empower communities Functions General, multi- purpose applications Specific, project-level activities Users Domain specialistsGeneral public Platform StandaloneWeb-based

8. 8 I think the land parcels adjacent to the existing conservation zone should be included as “conservation area”. Current PPGIS – Tools that Aid Communication 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 Email + annotations + map attachment Spatial context communication  Views exchange Email + annotations + map attachment Spatial context communication  Views exchange

9. 9 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)

10. 10 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

11. 11 Evaluation Matrix Tools Multi-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 

12. 12 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

13. 13 Transport Prototype Mock up (1) online discussion forum  Documents evolution of ideas and decisions  Supports transparent exchange of views Parking Problems Beaverbrook Street Issues and ideas related to this topic UNB Campus Parking Issues and ideas related to this topic Bus Routes Routes and Schedule Issues and ideas related to this topic web-based GIS Communicates spatial context Integration Enhances effective communication

14. 14 Prototype Mock up (cont’d) Parking Problems Beaverbrook Street Issues and ideas related to this topic UNB Campus Parking Issues and ideas related to this topic Transport Routes and Schedule Issues and ideas related to this topic Parking Problems Beaverbrook Street Issues and ideas related to this topic UNB Campus Parking Issues and ideas related to this topic Bus Routes Routes and Schedule Issues and ideas related to this topic

15. 15 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 pm Post subject: Street parking causes traffic jam Transport Prototype Mock up (cont’d)

16. 16 Prototype Mock up (cont’d) Transport > Beaverbrook Street M. Taylor Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2004 6:17 pm Post 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

17. 17 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

18. 18 Next Step Implement the prototype Evaluate the prototype

19. 19 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.

20. 20 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

21. 21 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 http://www.map.hackney.gov.uk/HackneyMap.asp Orange County Interactive Mapping, Florida http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/esd/gis/interactive_mapping.htm http://www.cityoforlando.net/public_works/esd/gis/interactive_mapping.htm

22. 22 Questions & Comments