Supporting planning processes by the use of dynamic visualization

Large scale and long term decision making processes encounter a huge amount of difficulties. On the one hand, the uncertainty about the future represents a fundamental problem which is innate in long-term planning. On the other hand, the different interests and opinions regarding goals and strategies among the various actors are complex issues to be tackled. In order to build common knowledge and facilitate reasoning among the different actors, the following research proposes a method for sharing information through the use of dynamic maps. By means of the visual localisation of costs and benefits, the participants in the spatial decision processes are led to evaluate methods and objectives for a number of alternative development options. The system has been used in different case studies and has shown its effectiveness in creating awareness of spatial problems and enhancing discussions.