An assessment of spatial planning practice at the end of the 20th century suggested that the adoption and use of geoinformation tools (geographic information and spatial modeling systems) are far from widespread and far from being effectively integrated into the planning process (Stillwell et al, 1999). From the assessment it may be concluded that many planners now have access to the geodata and meta-geoinformation facilities of their organizations, and many are proficient in using their geoinformation tools to perform spatial queries and to generate thematic maps. Progress towards the use of these tools beyond these basic activities to help solve key planning problems through more sophisticated analysis, however, remains very limited (Stillwell et al, 1999). Geoinformation tools appear to be seldom used for those tasks that are unique to planning, such as visioning, storytelling, forecasting, analysis, sketching, and evaluation (Couclelis, 2003;Klosterman, 1997).Studies to explain the shortfall in the adoption of geoinformation tools have often taken a broad, systems-analytical perspective, suggesting not only reasons of a technical nature, but also human, organizational, and institutional factors. Alleged reasons are that most current tools are far too generic, complex, and inflexible, incompatible with most planning tasks, oriented towards technology rather than problems, and too focused on strict rationality (Batty, 2003;Bishop, 1998 Abstract. Research on planning support systems (PSS) is characterized by a strong emphasis on the supply side, whereas little research has been undertaken on the successes and failures in the adoption of PSS within the planning community (demand side). What becomes clear from the existing research is that usage is not widespread. In this paper we aim to find the main bottlenecks blocking the widespread use of PSS in spatial planning. To achieve this, a global online survey was conducted in which almost 100 PSS experts participated and for which a theoretical framework from the field of business studies served as a basis. The results show that a multitude of factors cause the underutilization of PSS, their characteristics being human, organizational and institutional, as well as technical. In particular, the lack of awareness of and experience with PSS, alongside the relative lack of recognition of the value of PSS within the spatial planning community, tend to block widespread usage and adoption of PSS in planning practice. On this basis, we offer recommendations for the enhancement of PSS adoption, namely to disseminate more profoundly information and knowledge about the existence and benefits of PSS within the spatial planning community. Real-world example projects and in-depth research on potential benefits of PSS application in planning practice will be crucial in this. DOI:10.1068/a3712 ô Also Nexpri, Utrecht University. and Stillwell, 2003a;Harris and Batty, 1993;Innes and Simpson, 1993;Klosterman and Landis, 1988;Nedovic-Budic, 1998; Scholten and Stillwell, 1990;Sheppa...
Planning Support Systems (PSS) are geo-information based tools intended to support planners in planning tasks such as information handling, communication and analysis in planning processes. They can be useful tools in helping planners to handle the ever-increasing complexity of planning. However, PSS technology is trapped in a vicious circle created by the large mismatch that exists between the supply of and the demand for PSS. Despite their many promising characteristics, PSS have not yet become widely used in planning practice; lessons must be learned on how to effectively develop and apply PSS. Without such experience, it becomes difficult to pursue the improvement of PSS technology, which in turn means fewer lessons can be learned. This paper aims to narrow the gap between supply and demand by providing lessons for planners, PSS developers and researchers of PSS development and use.
Insight into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of planning support systems (PSS) is fragmented between users and system developers. The lack of combined insights blocks development in the right direction and makes potential users hesitant to apply PSS in planning. This study presents SWOT of PSS from a combined user–developer perspective. We first express them in terms of combinations of planning task, PSS information function, and user, and subsequently use a literature survey, a series of interviews, and a web survey to gather views from developers, users, and PSS experts. The analysis shows that planners mainly use simple information storage and retrieval systems for exploration tasks, while the majority of PSS are technically much more advanced and aim to support complex tasks. The potential of these advanced PSS can only be realized if planners and system developers start to share knowledge and demands and identify opportunities in a cooperative PSS-development process. Without such a process, the advantages and opportunities of PSS will remain unexploited.
Some 25 years after the introduction of the first geo‐information technologies in public organizations, strategies to manage their diffusion are still inadequate. This is problematic in light of the new generation of geo‐information technologies that has become available and aims to invest in these new information technologies in order to advance e‐government. This study questions how strategies for diffusion of geo‐information technologies in public planning organizations can be improved. It shows that classic top‐down management often enhances informal diffusion activities that deviate from the formal diffusion strategy. A knowledge management approach, in which geo‐information specialists and planners participate in the formation of diffusion policies, can enhance the quality of the formal strategy, thereby preventing deviation and informal diffusion activities. The authors recommend that public planning organizations use this knowledge to improve their diffusion strategies for geo‐information technologies.
Planning support systems are geo-information-based tools to support those involved in planning tasks. Many see planning support systems capable of improving the handling of knowledge and information in planning processes. Better handling of knowledge and information could help those involved in planning to handle the ever-increasing complexity of planning tasks. In spite of these potential benefits, planning support systems have not yet become widely used in planning practice. A major problem contributing to the arrear in planning support systems use is the profound miscommunication that exists between planners, planning support systems developers, and researchers. Currently there exists little insight in how to solve this problem and enhance the use of planning support systems. This chapter provides practiceoriented lessons about PSS use. Those willing to apply planning support systems in planning practice may use these lessons to enhance the successful use of planning support systems and the handling of knowledge and information in planning.
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