GIS technologies for Urban Quality of Life analysis

The understanding and assessement of urban complexity from the approach of Urban Quality of Life is essential in order to achieve more sustainable cities, as the perception of citizens is incorporated in urban analysis. This new form of urban study must rely on ICT and GIT technologies, since they enable the gathering and managing of a considerable amount of data that will help characterize urban reality, and more specifically on GIS, due to their potential as a comunication and dissemination tool for the results and the new forms of public participation they can encourage. The article reflects on the (necessary) evolution of urban analysis methodologies: several examples of urban studies accomplished through GIS implementation are presented and some interesting applications of ICT in urban management are identified. Hence, the way of understanding cities is changing and analysis, decision-making and management processes must adapt to these changes.