Participatory E-Planning

This chapter discusses the importance of leveraging information technology to link theory and practice of participatory planning. Citizen participation in urban planning and development processes is an important exercise that enriches community involvement in local planning decision-making. The advancement in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Planning Support Systems (PSS) technologies has provided the opportunity for planning agencies to adopt and facilitate participatory e-planning for improved decision-making. Despite this opportunity, studies show that a number of impediments to the widespread adoption these technologies exist. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of planning, the literature on participatory planning and e-planning, as well as reviews of some existing technologies for supporting participatory planning practices, this chapter concludes that although a well designed participatory e-planning system could be an enabler for collaborative decision-making and help reduce tensions and conflicts that surround many urban development projects, the deliberative features of newer e-planning systems will have to be improved to move beyond general documented feedback, exploit the spatiality of the participatory environment, and allow more real-time dynamic consultation, if they are to be effective participatory tools.