Urban Planning Information Systems and E-Government in Al-Madinah

Abstract

. Since last two decades, information systems are widely adopted in all life aspects. In developed world, electronic systems been now shared by government’s firms and organizations using Shared- database for managing civic affaires for town, city or in some cases for country for development process worldwide. Moreover they are been adopted even in developing countries such Saudi Arabia in various local governments and Al-Madinah is one of those. These information systems are not applied for just administrative issues, but more for analytical and planning tasks. Such information systems those are used in urban planning are called 'Urban Information Systems' especially the Geographic Information Systems "GIS". This paper reviews literature of urban information systems through three levels: globally, regionally, and locally. Then how this will requires a reform of local governments and municipalities to gain form existing electronic technologies and governmental agencies and bodies, individuals, and public in integrating efforts in developments of cities. More over it explores the case of the project of Al-Madinah e-government'. At last the paper shows how GIS can be used for local planning for future projects, measures forecast, and policy setting. E-government project in Al-Madinah is the first one in Saudi, and will be applied in all over the rest cities. Urban information systems are promising huge capabilities and potentials for efficiency of urban planning in terms of: Public participation, electronic research for urban data, and supporting decision making.