GIS for the Territorial Concern: Supporting Local Sustainable Development with Modern Information Technology

Abstract

To take advantage of modern information technology in general and geographical information systems (GIS) in particular in the planning of cities and regions, a constructive revision of the traditional map concept has been made in accordance with the findings from a project focused on professional world views and environmental concern in the planning process. The map, or rather, the output of documents from the different phases of a GIS-supported planning process, can more properly be characterized as an Image, as a Model, as a Drawing and as a Plan. Corresponding to these document types are four different world views and modes of environmental inquiry. It is the quest for Truth — that the Image tells the truth of the region as it IS. It is the quest for Freedom — that the Model renders an account of all possibilities for the development of the region as it may BECOME. It is the quest for Beauty — that the Drawing may contribute to make the region more cultivated and comfortable as it CAN be. Finally, it is the quest for Justice — that the Plan is scrutinized through a democratic process and gives direction to what the region OUGHT to be according to the will of the population. A GIS that supports urban planning with such inquiring capabilities is currently being implemented in a GIS laboratory with the city of Lund in Sweden as a pilot region to further explore how to support local sustainable development of urban regions with the help of modern information technology.KeywordsGeographical Information SystemGeographic Information SystemWorld ViewModern Information TechnologyGeographic Information System TechnologyThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.