In today's society, it is very common for decisions that influence us all to be made by a combination of interested parties, all with their own agenda. In this instance, how can we be sure that the decision is the correct one, not just decided by the group with the most political influence or most money? Such groups have now become fundamental deci

In today's society, it is very common for decisions that influence us all to be made by a combination of interested parties, all with their own agenda. In this instance, how can we be sure that the decision is the correct one, not just decided by the group with the most political influence or most money? Such groups have now become fundamental decision-making units within and between organisations in most societies and are more often than not very complex structures. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Groupware can be used in several practical contexts to make sure that spatial decision problems are overcome in the most effective way. A fundamental aspect of a spatial decision problem is the matter of location. The complexity of spatial decision problems result from the multiplicity of stakeholders involved, their often conflicting interests, and the intangible variables of the decision environment. Examples of such problems include: where to locate a public facility, which brownfield redevelopment strategy to choose, which sites to select for environmental restoration, or which comprehensive land use plan to adopt. Good solutions to such problems -if they exist at all- are characterised by a certain minimum level of secretarial support; hence the decision-making process should involve experts, citizens, and interest groups alike. Such a collaborative approach to spatial decision-making needs methodology, tools, and application examples to inspire its adoption and more widespread use. This book sets out the key to the collaborative spatial decision-making approach: its theoretical basis, the requisite tools, and a number of application examples. GIS professionals and researchers should find this an invaluable guide to an emerging area of GIS

This book is intended for the GIS Science and Decision Science communities. It is primarily targeted at postgraduate students and practitioners in GIS and urban, regional and environmental planning as well as applied decision analysis. It is also suitable for those studying and working with spatial decision support systems. The main objectives of this book are to effectivley integrate Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) into Geographic Information Science (GIScience), to provide a comprehensive account of theories, methods, technologies and tools for tackling spatial decision problems and to demonstrate how the GIS-MCDA approaches can be used in a wide range of planning and management situations.

Using the varied case studies, this comprehensive resource looks beyond the mechanics of systems and screens to show how local governments can make geographic information systems true management tools. Case studies provide a framework of understanding of the unique capabilities of GIS. 50 maps.

From selecting sites for new hospitals, schools, and factories, to managing forests and rivers, to creating and maintaining highways and bridges, public and private organizations are often called on to make decisions on geographic questions that involve a multitude of alternatives and often conflicting evaluation criteria. This book presents a formal mechanism for dealing with these situations, capturing the information in a Geographic Information System and processing it to derive optimal recommendations for confronting these complex questions.

First published in 1999, this volume consists of selected papers presented at the North American Meetings of the RSAI along with invited contributions from scholars active in the field of spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis. It is meant to present diverse lines of research in spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis under the multidisciplinary umbrella of Geographic Information Science. The first part explores selected theoretical and conceptual aspects of spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis not confined to any specific application domain. Part 2 consists of six chapters focusing on various forms of location decision and analysis problems. Finally, part 3 contains five chapters on various spatial decision problems whose systemic scope sets them apart from locational decision problems.

Handbook of Decision Making includes the wisdom of the long theological and philosophical traditions of human society, as well as a systematic exploration of the implications of contemporary evolutionary theories. Common patterns in decision making styles are identified as well as the common variations that different contexts may generate. The text covers the multiplicity of mainstream decision making styles such as cost-benefit analysis, and linear programming. It also explains alternative and emerging methods such as geographic information systems, Q-methodology, and narrative policy analysis. Practical applications are discussed using decision making practices in budgeting, public administration and governance, drug trafficking, and information systems.

"The definitive guide to a technology that succeeds or fails depending upon our ability to accommodate societal context and structures. This handbook is lucid, integrative, comprehensive and, above all, prescient in its interpretation of GIS implementation as a societal process." - Paul Longley, University College London "This is truly a handbook - a book you will want to keep on hand for frequent reference and to which GIS professors should direct students entering our field... Selection of a few of the chapters for individual attention is difficult because each one contributes meaningfully to the overall message of this volume. An important collection of articles that will set the tone for the next two decades of discourse and research about GIS and society." - Journal of Geographical Analysis Over the past twenty years research on the evolving relationship between GIS and Society has been expanding into a wide variety of topical areas, becoming in the process an increasingly challenging and multifaceted endeavour. The SAGE Handbook of GIS and Society is a retrospective and prospective overview of GIS and Society research that provides an expansive and critical assessment of work in that field. Emphasizing the theoretical, methodological and substantive diversity within GIS and Society research, the book highlights the distinctiveness and intellectual coherence of the subject as a field of study, while also examining its resonances with and between key themes, and among disciplines ranging from geography and computer science to sociology, anthropology, and the health and environmental sciences. Comprising 27 chapters, often with an international focus, the book is organized into six sections: Foundations of Geographic Information and Society Geographical Information and Modern Life Alternative Representations of Geographic Information and Society Organizations and Institutions Participation and Community Issues Value, Fairness, and Privacy Aimed at academics, researchers, postgraduates, and GIS practitioners, this Handbook will be the basic reference for any inquiry applying GIS to societal issues.

"This book provides a comprehensive treatment of collaborative GIS focusing on system design, group spatial planning and mapping; modeling, decision support, and visualization; and internet and wireless applications"--Provided by publisher.