Projektowanie zorientowane na użytkownika oraz metody zwinnego programowania w procesie tworzenia geoportalu wspierającego partycypację społeczną w planowaniu przestrzennym

A dynamic development of technologies and applications such as Google Maps, Big Maps, Open Street Maps as well as an easy access to broadband Internet have led to the proliferation of map applications and their wide-spread use. Concurrently, a growing number of services provided by commercial entities and public administration use solutions based on interactive maps available through geoportals. This means that capabilities once available only to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists have become available to virtually every computer or mobile device user. Taking into account the diversity of Internet user skills we designed a geoportal enabling public participation in the land use development planning process, based on the methodology of user-centred design (UCD). In the development of the software we followed Agile set of principles (Agile Manifesto) which, thanks to an interactive approach, made it possible to quickly adjust the software functionalities in accordance with the user’s emerging needs. As a result of four usability tests, which have been conducted in accordance with the human-computer interaction research methods, a new, user-friendly geoportal was developed. The system provides functionalities that meet the needs of potential users in the context of online discussions with the use of interactive maps. The geoportal research reported herein was supported by a research project funded by the National Science Centre 2012/05/B/HS4/03850.