Between Consultation and Collaboration: Self-Reported Objectives for 25 Web-Based Geoparticipation Projects in Urban Planning

Web-based participatory mapping technologies are being increasingly harnessed by local governments to crowdsource knowledge and engage the public in urban planning policies as a means of increasing transparency legitimacy processes decisions. We refer these “geoparticipation”. Current innovations outpacing research into use geoparticipation practices. To address this gap, paper investigates objectives web-based uses empirical evidence from online survey responses related 25 projects nine countries across three continents (Europe, North America, Australia). The adopts Spectrum for Public Participation that range information empowerment, with each category specifying promises about how input is expected influence decision-making (IAP2, 2018). Our findings show can leverage ‘middle-ground’ citizen participation facilitating involvement alongside consultation and/or collaboration. This constitutes pilot study step toward more robust replicable studies cross-country comparisons. Empowerment (or control) not yet normative goal or outcome geoparticipation. also suggests pursued other participation, therefore functions “low-hanging fruit” portrayed literature, but rather core component higher intensities participation.