A survey of knowledge-based information systems for urban planning: Moving towards knowledge management

A variety of information systems have been presented in the urban planning literature in the form of decision support tools. The full benefits of such tools continue to go unrealized. This paper suggests means for improving the effectiveness of urban information systems. This is accomplished by shifting emphasis from the computerized tools developed to support urban planning to true urban knowledge systems. Such systems are designed within the context of knowledge management where the technical, computerized aspects of the systems comprise one attribute among many integrated factors for providing urban planning support. A solid waste management example is used to illustrate the shift to urban knowledge systems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.; A variety of information systems have been presented in the urban planning literature in the form of decision support tools. The full benefits of such tools continue to go unrealized. This paper suggests means for improving the effectiveness of urban information systems. This is accomplished by shifting emphasis from the computerized tools developed to support urban planning to true urban knowledge systems. Such systems are designed within the context of knowledge management where the technical, computerized aspects of the systems comprise one attribute among many integrated factors for providing urban planning support. A solid waste management example is used to illustrate the shift to urban knowledge systems.