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A SWOT Analysis of Planning Support Systems

Author

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  • Guido Vonk

    (Urban and Regional Research Centre, Utrecht and Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Stan Geertman

    (Urban and Regional Research Centre, Utrecht and International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, PO Box 6, 9500 AA Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Paul Schot

    (Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Insight into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of planning support systems (PSS) is fragmented between users and system developers. The lack of combined insights blocks development in the right direction and makes potential users hesitant to apply PSS in planning. This study presents SWOT of PSS from a combined user–developer perspective. We first express them in terms of combinations of planning task, PSS information function, and user, and subsequently use a literature survey, a series of interviews, and a web survey to gather views from developers, users, and PSS experts. The analysis shows that planners mainly use simple information storage and retrieval systems for exploration tasks, while the majority of PSS are technically much more advanced and aim to support complex tasks. The potential of these advanced PSS can only be realized if planners and system developers start to share knowledge and demands and identify opportunities in a cooperative PSS-development process. Without such a process, the advantages and opportunities of PSS will remain unexploited.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido Vonk & Stan Geertman & Paul Schot, 2007. "A SWOT Analysis of Planning Support Systems," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(7), pages 1699-1714, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:39:y:2007:i:7:p:1699-1714
    DOI: 10.1068/a38262
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stan Geertman, 1999. "Geographical Information Technology and Strategic Physical Planning," Advances in Spatial Science, in: John Stillwell & Stan Geertman & Stan Openshaw (ed.), Geographical Information and Planning, chapter 4, pages 69-86, Springer.
    2. Guido Vonk & Stan Geertman & Paul Schot, 2005. "Bottlenecks Blocking Widespread Usage of Planning Support Systems," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 37(5), pages 909-924, May.
    3. Stan Geertman & John Stillwell, 2003. "Planning Support Systems: An Introduction," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Stan Geertman & John Stillwell (ed.), Planning Support Systems in Practice, chapter 1, pages 3-22, Springer.
    4. Ken Snyder, 2003. "Tools for Community Design and Decision-making," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Stan Geertman & John Stillwell (ed.), Planning Support Systems in Practice, chapter 6, pages 99-120, Springer.
    5. John Stillwell & Stan Geertman & Stan Openshaw, 1999. "Developments in Geographical Information and Planning," Advances in Spatial Science, in: John Stillwell & Stan Geertman & Stan Openshaw (ed.), Geographical Information and Planning, chapter 1, pages 3-22, Springer.
    6. John Seely Brown & Paul Duguid, 1991. "Organizational Learning and Communities-of-Practice: Toward a Unified View of Working, Learning, and Innovation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 40-57, February.
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