The use of GIS in Town Planning

Abstract

Th~s paper tracks the various applications of Geographic Information Systems in town planning. It is proposed that these relate to four uses of information: holding, output, processing and analysis. Each of these uses, and the inherent applications of GIs, are discussed in turn. The paper goes on to present the findings of two major surveys of GIS use in local planning authorities, carried out by the Royal Town Planning Institute in 1995 and 2000. It is concluded from these surveys that the use of GIS is widening, with successively more authorities makmg use of GIs, more applications, and more computer “seats” within local authorities. However, these developments have themselves revealed new opportunities for GIS application, and few authorities consider the process to be complete. Finally, the outlook for GIS in town planning, in terms of data, technology and implications for management and professional development, is considered. The outlook in terms of data is considered to involve greater “sharing” of data sets to enable the building of integrated information systems; in terms of technology, to involve the development of 3-D capabilities, automated data entry and map interpretation; and in terms of management and professional development, to involve a commitment from practitioners as “champions; support from management; and dissemination of good practice.