GIS Story Maps: A Tool to Empower and Engage Stakeholders in Planning Sustainable Places

Abstract
Public engagement continues to be transformed by the explosion of new digital technologies/tools, software platforms, social media networks, mobile devices, and mobile apps. Recent changes in geospatial technology offer new opportunities for use in participatory planning processes. Yet, civic tech as a movement, and public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) as a discipline, have somewhat lagged behind the proliferation of new digital tools that can be leveraged for public engagement purposes. This project explores the evolving technology landscape and use of GIS Story Maps as a tool to empower and engage stakeholders in participatory planning processes. This research incorporated both a literature review and cases studies as research methods. The Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute (RTI) at Marshall University and Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware research team’s case-study approach demonstrates that GIS Story Maps can help to fulfill mandates for an open government and public involvement by incorporating the use of interactive digital engagement tools into participatory planning processes. Preliminary research suggests that online, interactive GIS Story Maps are ideal for fostering citizen engagement, providing meaningful context to complex topics and concepts, and empowering informed decision making. Additional research is suggested and needs to be informed by empirical evidence that either supports or refutes this premise.
Description
Keywords
GIS Story Maps, Citizen engagement, Participatory planning processes, Public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) public engagement, Public involvement, Digital technologies, Civic tech
Citation