The GeoCitizen-approach: community-based spatial planning - an Ecuadorian case study.

Area of Science:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Spatial Planning
• Social Geoweb Technologies

Background:

• Traditional Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) is evolving with advancements in geospatial web platforms, social media, and volunteered geographic information (VGI).
• There is a need for integrated frameworks that incorporate community participation into existing spatial planning and decision-making structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel citizen-orientated framework for spatial planning using a social geoweb platform.
• To integrate participatory community input into established decision-making processes.
• To demonstrate the application of the GeoCitizen platform in a real-world land-zoning scenario.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of the GeoCitizen social geoweb platform, combining geo-web technologies and social media functionalities.
• Implementation of a participatory land-zoning process in Quito, Ecuador, as a long-term study.
• Facilitating collaborative observation reporting, idea discussion, problem-solving, and monitoring by citizens at a local level.

Main Results:

• The GeoCitizen platform effectively integrates citizen contributions into spatial planning processes.
• The framework facilitates collaborative problem-solving and monitoring of local environmental issues.
• The ongoing study in Quito demonstrates the practical application and potential of the approach.

Conclusions:

• The GeoCitizen platform represents a significant advancement for citizen-orientated spatial planning.
• Integrating participatory geoweb tools can enhance community engagement and decision-making in land-use planning.
• This approach offers a scalable model for participatory spatial planning in diverse local contexts.