CHAPTER 31
User Assessment of Coastal Spatial Decision Support Systems
R. Canessa and C. P. Keller
ABSTRACT: Given the current trend in the development of Spatial Decision Support
Systems (SDSS), a study was undertaken to investigate the development and
implementation of Coastal SDSS for multiple-use coastal management. Imperative to
this topic are the expectations and requirements of coastal managers for Coastal SDSS.
This paper reports on results of such a user assessment gleaned from an international
questionnaire survey of coastal managers. Assessments were made for decision
making, analytical, and data components of Coastal SDSS, and implementation
factors. General characteristics of coastal management relating to these components
are first described. The discussion then relates each of the components to GIS and
SDSS covering both strengths and weaknesses.
Introduction
Almost from their initial development in the 1960s GIS have been heralded as decision
support technology (Eastman et al., 1993; Cowen, 1988), even as an “essential”
technology for decision-makers (Mumby et al., 1995). Following from these accolades,
GIS have evolved from inventory-based information systems to decision support tools
within a broader decision-making environment. The decision support capabilities of
GIS were formalised in Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS). SDSS are computer
systems which combine a database management system, spatial and non-spatial
analytical models, and graphical and tabular reporting. The components are integrated
with human-expert knowledge within a decision-making framework and accessed by a
user-friendly interface to provide alternative solutions to a decision problem (Densham,
1991). SDSS have been developed for various applications such as locational
planning, land consolidation and environmental management. However, Fedra (1995)
437
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 437–449.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.
User Assessment of Coastal Spatial Decision Support Systems
R. Canessa and C. P. Keller
ABSTRACT: Given the current trend in the development of Spatial Decision Support
Systems (SDSS), a study was undertaken to investigate the development and
implementation of Coastal SDSS for multiple-use coastal management. Imperative to
this topic are the expectations and requirements of coastal managers for Coastal SDSS.
This paper reports on results of such a user assessment gleaned from an international
questionnaire survey of coastal managers. Assessments were made for decision
making, analytical, and data components of Coastal SDSS, and implementation
factors. General characteristics of coastal management relating to these components
are first described. The discussion then relates each of the components to GIS and
SDSS covering both strengths and weaknesses.
Introduction
Almost from their initial development in the 1960s GIS have been heralded as decision
support technology (Eastman et al., 1993; Cowen, 1988), even as an “essential”
technology for decision-makers (Mumby et al., 1995). Following from these accolades,
GIS have evolved from inventory-based information systems to decision support tools
within a broader decision-making environment. The decision support capabilities of
GIS were formalised in Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS). SDSS are computer
systems which combine a database management system, spatial and non-spatial
analytical models, and graphical and tabular reporting. The components are integrated
with human-expert knowledge within a decision-making framework and accessed by a
user-friendly interface to provide alternative solutions to a decision problem (Densham,
1991). SDSS have been developed for various applications such as locational
planning, land consolidation and environmental management. However, Fedra (1995)
437
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 437–449.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.