Public Participation Geographic Information Systems: A Literature Survey

Abstract

Although Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) efforts have grown worldwide, there is a gap in the literature on implications of PPGIS for public administration. This chapter aims to narrow this gap through a literature survey of the PPGIS implications for government agencies. GIS technology has progressively advanced from traditional desktop-based GIS to Web GIS and Geospatial Web 2.0 platforms. The advancements have broadened GIS accessibility from the domain of expert users to the domain of lay citizens. Four major aspects are identified with respect to PPGIS implications for local e-government: the significance of context; technical GIS concerns; the institutional structure of participatory decision-making processes; and empowerment. The chapter highlights how these four aspects influence differential PPGIS efforts at the local level internationally, despite the greater technological accessibility.