Spatial indicators as a tool to support the decision-making process in relation to different goals of rural planning

Abstract

Indicators based on the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques are widely used at all levels of spatial policy. The bulk of studies undertaken have involved examinations of urban and peri-urban areas, but only a few of them have been developed in relation to rural areas. To address this gap, the current paper aims to analyse Spatial Planning Indicators (SPI) based on the data obtained from spatial databases with reference to four scales: rural municipalities, rural villages, public rural spaces and singular building plot from the point of view of supporting the decision-making process. A review of the relevant literature (102 papers) enabled the selection of a set of indices applied for four specific purposes of spatial planning including: (1) landscape/ecological values; (2) sustainability development; (3) risk assessment; and (4) spatial dimension of urbanisation. Then, SPI were calculated in relation to four spatial scales of Spiczyn municipality (Poland). The effectiveness analysis was conducted based on five criteria related to relevance, measurability and applicability. Generally, the analysis demonstrated that the effectiveness of different kinds of indices depends strongly on each specific field of application, and they were found to be more relevant in large geographic regions than smaller ones. These findings indicate the need for the careful selection of SPI to obtain an adequate dataset that is useful for the management of rural areas. Each spatial scale required separate consideration when drawing conclusions with regard to land use planning and the elaboration of relevant indices.