Participation and Geographical Information

Geographical space is an important factor across a wide range of decision-making problems, not only because many human and environmental processes vary markedly from one place to another, but also because space determines people's perception of the world and ultimately determines what we call 'local' and ‘global’. The ability of individuals and social groups to map out, in a true geographic sense, their vision for the future is a key prerequisite for informed and sustainable planning. Obtaining sufficient input from a representative sample of the broad population is often made more difficult by the lack of 'connectivity' (in both the technical and conceptual sense) between the different stakeholders involved. Technological approaches to improving participation, including the use of GIS, are reviewed. The effects of space, place and locality are identified as key factors determining public interest in decision problems. Recommendations are made for further research directions in the field.