GIS in the Urban Landscape: Reconfiguring neighbourhood planning and design processes

Landscape architects have been using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) primarily for large-scale applications such as regional, environmental, ecological and natural resources planning and management. GIS applications are explored for the smaller-scale urban landscapes of communities and neighbourhoods. It is described how a community-based GIS was used in a participatory neighbourhood planning process to enhance communication between planners, community groups and local residents. This case study, which reflects on the experience of a design team at the University of Illinois at Chicago, found that a community GIS was highly useful for urban landscape and design, particularly when augmented with a variety of other computerized and non-computerized techniques. In this case free-hand sketching by a trained artist and three-dimensional software that could create representations of the designs as they were in process were incorporated. This combination of tools proved effective for increasing community understanding and participation in the designing and revitalization of their neighbourhoods.