Visual Decision Support for Policy Making: Advancing Policy Analysis with Visualization

Abstract

Today’s politicians are confronted with new information technologies to\ud tackle complex decision-making problems. In order to make sustainable decisions,\ud a profound analysis of societal problems and possible solutions (policy options)\ud needs to be performed. In this policy-analysis process, different stakeholders are\ud involved. Besides internal direct advisors of the policy makers (policy analysts),\ud external experts from different scientific disciplines can support evidence-based decision making. Despite the alleged importance of scientific advice in the policy-making\ud process, it is observed that scientific results are often not used. In this work, a concept\ud is described that supports the collaboration between scientists and politicians. We propose a science–policy interface that is realized by including information visualization in the policy-analysis process. Therefore, we identify synergy effects between\ud both fields and introduce a methodology for addressing the current challenges of\ud science–policy interfaces with visualization. Finally, we describe three exemplary\ud case studies carried out in European research projects that instantiate the concept of\ud this approach

Leveraging public participation in urban planning with 3D web technology

“…The technical implementation presented here is based on a concept described in another one of our previous papers [Ruppert et al 2014 (to be published)] where we introduce a novel way to combine techniques from the application fields of information visualisation and visual analysis with the conceptual methods of policy modelling to bridge knowledge gaps between stakeholders in the policy making process. Our approach is based on the assumption that presenting information in a visual way helps communicate policy decisions and complex policy models to all stakeholders.…”

Developing Knowledge-Based Citizen Participation Platform to Support Smart City Decision Making: The Smarticipate Case Study

“…Smarticipate takes on board these findings and goes beyond visualisation of planning proposals by including interactive feedback mechanisms in 2D and 3D visual models. Similarly, Ruppert et al [17] provide an overview of visual decision-making support for policy making by demonstrating one of the urbanAPI project [2] case studies on eParticipation in urban planning. They conclude that visual technologies are useful for communication and support a dialogue from experts to citizens.…”

Constrained Modified Genetic Algorithm for Optimizing RICE Climate Change Model Policy

“…Ruppert et al (2015) presented a novel approach to tackle the challenges of the policy paradox by information visualization technologies of the policy analysis field. They used visual decision support systems as the means to bridge gaps in policy analysis.…”