Knowledge-based databases and intelligent decision support for environmental management in urban systems

Abstract

The preservation of the environment has become an important goal in public policies throughout the world. Governments are concerned more then ever about their environmental resources and are establishing policies to control their consumption. To devise and implement such policies, administrators require detailed information about the current state of the environment and ongoing developments. In the regional and urban environmental administration there is a need for solutions which balance ecological and economic objectives. As a result of economic developments and growing awareness of ecological risks, there is a demand for planning and decision strategies in this complex area. Because of the complexity and the enormous amount of relevant data, the decision makers need effective support for their decisions. This support can be given by using environmental information systems enriched with decision support based on knowledge-based systems. The modular and flexible architecture with an environmental knowledge-based subsystem within the object-oriented framework is presented. The prototype of the integrated environmental system with a knowledge-based subsystem as intelligent decision support is installed as a pilot project in regional and urban administration. The first experiences and responses of decision makers are discussed and further development is pointed out. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.