Gonzalez, Ainhoa and Gilmer, Alan and Foley, Ronan and Sweeney, John and Fry, John (2009) Developing and Applying a Participative web-Based GIS for Integration of Public Perceptions in Strategic Environmental Assessment. In: Representing, Modeling and Visualizing the Natural Environment: Innovations in GIS. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 117-133. ISBN 9781420055498

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Abstract

The intrinsic spatial nature of development plans poses specific requirements on the analytical tools applied to support Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. Geographic information systems (GIS), with their mapping and analytical potential, can assist and enhance the various stages of SEA. A method has been developed to apply GIS as a support tool to assist SEA of land use plans in the Republic of Ireland. This chapter describes one phase in the development and testing of the method during the preparation of County Development Plans, a participatory Internet-based GIS tool developed to communicate and gather information in a spatially specific format. The aim of the web site was to promote and expand the use of GIS in public participation and, thus, allow for the incorporation of spatially specific public perceptions in SEA. The results revealed that the integration of public perceptions into the assessment through GIS stimulates debate and provides an overall scientific and social view of the relative environmental significance and vulnerability of the different areas. However, current issues in relation to availability and quality of spatial data constrained the applicability of GIS. Furthermore, complexity of the technology, data disclosure issues, and statutory consultation requirements restricted its implementation and use, affecting the adequacy and the level of public opinion gathered through the Web site.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Preprint version of original published work.
Keywords:	Web-Based GIS; Integration; Ireland; Strategic Environmental Assessment; Strategic Environmental Assessment; SEA; Geographic information systems; County Development Plans;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > National Institute for Regional and Spatial analysis, NIRSA Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
Item ID:	2933
Depositing User:	Prof. John Sweeney
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2012 16:26
Publisher:	CRC Press
Refereed:	No
URI:	http://www.crcpress.com/
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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