Public Participation GIS: Possibilities and Barriers to Expand Participation through Technologies
Author
Devetag, Michele
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-04
Pages
50
Abstract
This thesis explores how Public Participation GIS (PPGIS)—digital mapping and survey tools that collect residents’ knowledge and views—can strengthen participation in planning processes in the Nordic countries. Citizen involvement has long been a goal in planning, yet it remains hard to achieve in practice and difficult to evaluate. This raises questions about whether participation is a democratic end in itself, how it contributes to better and fairer processes, and what concrete benefits it brings. Over the past decade, these debates have increasingly intersected with technology. PPGIS uses online maps and geospatial platforms to speed up and structure communication between residents and public authorities, potentially changing how participation is organized and managed. Experience shows that citizen input—including in participatory budgeting—can be captured and used meaningfully through PPGIS. At the same time, key challenges persist, such as ensuring genuine co-design and sustained involvement in shaping plans. The thesis examines Nordic PPGIS practice through two cases: the Helsinki city master plan (2018–2020) and Kristiansand’s ongoing efforts since 2020 to put compact city ideals into practice. By identifying the benefits and shortcomings of these approaches, the thesis highlights how PPGIS can facilitate collaboration between professionals and citizens in the co-design and co-management of innovative urban solutions, and points toward a more coherent use of digital tools in planning.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) – digitale kort- og spørgeværktøjer, der indsamler borgernes viden og holdninger – kan styrke inddragelsen i planlægningsprocesser i de nordiske lande. Borgerdeltagelse har længe været et ideal i planlægning, men er vanskelig at opnå i praksis og svær at vurdere. Det rejser spørgsmål om, hvorvidt deltagelse i sig selv er et demokratisk mål, hvordan den kan bidrage til bedre og mere retfærdige processer, og hvilke konkrete gevinster den kan skabe. I det seneste årti er disse spørgsmål blevet koblet tættere til teknologiske muligheder. PPGIS bruger online kort og geodata til at gøre kommunikationen mellem borgere og myndigheder hurtigere og mere overskuelig, og kan dermed ændre måden, deltagelse organiseres og styres på. Erfaringer viser, at borgernes bidrag – også i borgerbudgettering (participatory budgeting) – kan indsamles og anvendes meningsfuldt via PPGIS. Samtidig er centrale udfordringer ikke løst, herunder hvordan man sikrer reel samskabelse og varig medvirken i udformning af planer. Specialet ser nærmere på nordiske erfaringer med PPGIS gennem to cases: masterplanen for Helsinki (2018–2020) og Kristiansands igangværende arbejde siden 2020 med at konkretisere idealerne om den kompakte by. Ved at identificere fordele og begrænsninger ved PPGIS er målet at belyse, hvordan teknologien kan facilitere samspillet mellem fagfolk og borgere i samskabelse og medforvaltning af innovative byløsninger og dermed bane vej for en mere sammenhængende brug af digitale værktøjer i planlægning.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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