**1.2. Study objectives**

**1. Introduction**

6 Trends in Geomatics - An Earth Science Perspective

**1.1. Study context**

decision-making [2].

assimilate collaborative role [4–9].

In recent years, providing public role in decision-making regarding spatial problems has developed an ease for geographic information technology adept in supporting collaborative spatial decision-making. According to Densham et al. [1], it has been stated that Geographical Information System is the technology to sustain PPGIS, but expert methods are needed to reinforce spatial decision-making in a collective way. However, now, Geographical Information System and PPGIS are not prototyped to assist multi-users associations but many approaches may require group-based involvement for decision-making. The idea of collaborative geographical information system, computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), and collaborative decision support systems (DSS) were proposed as information technology to provide understanding about spatial complications and provide computer-based spatial

Multi-user collaboration is playing its role in many works involving stakeholders from different departments and organizations, in which map making sometimes play a main role for giving visual information for the support to decision-making [3]. Web technology is rapidly expanding range and has made it possible for to take decisions over the Web. Due to demands for Web-based open mapping an Application Programming Interface (API) united with other information systems and CSCW tools have become more important for the support of realtime map sharing output. Accordingly, the development of map-based applications for realtime collaborative is one effective step taken by researchers that are efficiently working in many fields, e.g., emergency system, urban planning projects, municipality management, GIS data production, monitoring of urban sprawl and epidemic spread, and many more that

A concurrent approach is made for the support of collaboration among the users [10]; although, little work has been done on developing and designing such Open Source Software (OSS) which is based on online map sharing tools which supports real-time collaboration. By assessing the researchers work and their contributions from the literature review, this study aims to develop an outline about the significance of the execution of irreplaceable and sufficient methods, tools, and techniques to fill the gap in the research. Multi-user synchronous discussions and communications among the people and between the community and stakeholders sometime improve the understanding that show an effective feedback and magnify decision-making [10–14]. This chapter actually shows a customizable framework used for an online system for collaboration with the installation of different Web GIS, OSGIS, OSS-based tools, and open mapping APIs on geographic information to solve the issues that are related to emergency disaster occurrence and municipal planning. Additionally, the study anticipates designing an open mapping API based real-time collaborative synchronous infrastructure with the option of installing local data for improving the involvement of during debate. Some of this research prototype elements based on this kind of model is still in development

procedure and in its starting stage in the house applicable testing.

The study aims to develop a real-time map sharing mechanism, collaborative PPGIS (Co-PPGIS) and for collaborative assessment the amalgamation of other open source-based groupware solutions on an effective GIS-based meeting platform. The aim of this study was also to assure that: (1) Co-PPGIS model will help to improve or increase involvement of participants and will provide assistance to decision makers in reaching a final decision efficiently; (2) to explain certain facts or observations, i.e., core concepts, design and technology, etc., with an overview of enabling technologies for analyzing and designing a successful real-time map sharing framework; (3) to describe a prototype development based on case scenarios that looks into integrating CSCW principles and open source groupware tools with Web-based GIS. In order to assist municipal planning and development through a better and effective decision-making process the primary research goal is to develop a Web GIS-based contemporary collaborative participatory infrastructure. In order to fulfill the main research's goal, this study will focus on achieving the following objectives:


This research primarily encompasses of the working mechanism of real-time collaborative Web map sharing framework that is going to be addressed within a fixed-time period.

#### **1.3. Background and literature review**

Increasing importance of the need for an effective public participation in a decision-making process during municipal planning and development is on main focus in this section of study. Through the integration of GIS technologies, involvement of public or local stakeholders in decision-making can become more effective. Public meetings, which are one of the traditional methods of public participation, are integrated in some PPGIS projects to accumulate public ideas, values and preferences [15]. Collaborative use of GIS-based services encompasses the involvement of public and planners in the decision-making process with geo conceptualize a map and accommodate public and planners to build local spatial knowledge and exchange ideas. In order to get instantaneous access and conceptualize the spatial information and participate in decision-making process, collaborative GIS-based services provide opportunities to local stakeholder [16]. An increased public participation can lead to a better and effective decision-making because the processes of decision-making and public participation have a direct relationship, which means that better decision-making processes can also lead to an increase in a user's participation and vice versa.

management of meeting, providing an understandable and media-rich demonstration of the issues and organizing a proper follow up" are those factors upon the success of public meet-

Architectural Design and Prototyping of Co-PPGIS: A Groupware-Based Online Synchronous…

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.80091

9

According to Meredith et al. [20], for successful public participation, proper and adequate access to information, effective connections to decision-making process and effective tools for getting input into a decision-making process are very essential. Public participation can became better and effective only if a large number of participants easily understand the mes-

Previous studies related to the depiction and execution of real-time collaborative mapping technologies is still in its stage of growth and development. Although in the last decade, many attempts have been made to the research of developing collaborative PPGIS but despite of this insufficient literature is obtainable in this field [21–24]. The rapid developments in technologies like in GIS, OSGIS, GIT, CSCW, and groupware filed will have a notable impact on the transfer and/or integrate those technologies into collaborative contemporary GIS. Rinner [25] and Li et al. [13] recognize the need to support such technologies that provide a limited way of investigating spatial data or map information collaboratively by inaugurating asynchronous-

Baecker [26] defined groupware as information technology used to accommodate people to work together more effectively and efficiently. With the help of the CSCW application or groupware technologies, people in remote places can easily and effectively interact with each other by sharing the documents and files through voice, data, and video links [27, 28]. Using proprietary software approaches, e.g., PCI geo-conference, a few GIS-based tools encompassing groupware and CSCW technologies have been originated. Some attempts have been made to originate simple map sharing applications using open map services. As a result of modern developments in Geographic Information Technology (GIT), that assist large spatial databases, groupware technologies and Web-based GIS, several frameworks that accommodate real-time collaboration were designed and developed [29–32]. Jankowski et al. [33] developed Spatial Group Choice, a spatial decision support framework, to assist the CSCW technique. Churcher and Churcher [34] proposed and developed Group ARC which offers a tool to geographically dispersed people to collaboratively view and explain map/spatial data. Pang and Fernandez [35] designed and developed Real-time Environment Information Network and Analysis System (REINAS) which encompasses functionalities that are helpful in the analysis of geospatial data. In order to support decision-making in Trane China, Trane China SDSS (TCSDSS) was

designed by Xiang (2003) by adopting the unified software-development process.

By acquiring "argumentation philosophy," argumap (which is an asynchronous perspective for spatial participation planning, to accommodate group discussions by connecting specific notations to map features) was developed by Rinner [25]. In order to support planning and decision-making processes, SoftGIS was developed which permitted mapping local knowledge and integrating it into urban planning practices [36]. Community Action Geographic Information System (CAGIS), a participatory GIS approach developed by Stewart et al. [37]. Virtual Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) framework was designed for the purpose to provide a collaborative virtual environment that allows connectivity among participants while implementing synchronous,

sage and give valuable feedback in a short time-frame.

*1.3.2. Rationale on CSCW and groupware*

based geo-referenced mapping architecture.

ings depends.

### *1.3.1. Rationale on municipal planning and management through existing public participation*

In almost every field of life planning process has certain defined goals or objectives just like in developing a small or large scale municipal plan, planning process has some objectives such as, to make planning process accessible, to accommodate in the conveyance or dissemination of ideas, and to support the decision-making process. Participation of public in municipal planning and management, according to traditional methods, includes neighbor notifications, interviews, exhibitions, public meetings/focus group discussions, and public enquires through telephone, letters, mails, fax, or public hearings [17, 18]. In order to disseminate the need of a proposed solution during public meeting, planners and decision makers present their plans through Power Point or point boards which is still considers one of the most commonly used participatory approach [19]. In the western world, public meetings are organized in order to accumulate feedback of public during planning and development-related workflows for effective and better decision-making. For example, in United States and Canada, local governments and many municipalities necessitate a level of participation in their decision-making processes.

**Table 1** reveals issues and concerns which are commonly faced during planning and development-related processes in existing practices of public participation. It illustrates or portrays the complete assessment of existing public participation practices related to communication channels, notification, access of information, and exploring spatial data of municipal projects. Li et al. (2006) also disclosed several main issues regarding to traditional public participation practices like inadequate access to the information needed for public input, for exchange of ideas or information and for communication there is a lack of essential or creative platform, restricted awareness mechanisms, and notification channels. Factors like "successfully revealing and educating the public about the program before hearing, proper planning, and


**Table 1.** Issues and concerns in existing practice of public participation.

management of meeting, providing an understandable and media-rich demonstration of the issues and organizing a proper follow up" are those factors upon the success of public meetings depends.

According to Meredith et al. [20], for successful public participation, proper and adequate access to information, effective connections to decision-making process and effective tools for getting input into a decision-making process are very essential. Public participation can became better and effective only if a large number of participants easily understand the message and give valuable feedback in a short time-frame.
