Enhancing Local Land Use Decisions through the Evaluation and Use of Webbased Tools Matthew Murrell

1
Enhancing Local Land Use Decisionsthrough the
Evaluation and Use ofWeb-based Tools Matthew
Murrell and Dana Lucero Science Information
Services SectionWisconsin Department of Natural
Resources
2
We will cover

• Decision Support Tools
• DNR Involvement
• Tool Evaluation
• Future Efforts

3

• Decision Support Tools
• Provide a framework that integrates
• relevant information or data
• graphical interface
• range of modeling tools
• Designed to deal with decisions by supporting a
  process that is iterative, integrative, and
  participative.

4
Five Types of Tools

• 1. Data access
• 2. Data provision
• 3. Interactive data mapping
• 4. Simple data analysis
• 5. Predictive modeling tools

5
INFORMATIONAL
PREDICTIVE

• Range of Decision Support Tools
• Data Data Interactive
• access provision data mapping

• Simple
  data Predictive
• analysis
  modeling

6
Data Access Data Provision Tools

• ATRI Meta Data Explorer

7
Interactive Data Mapping Tools

• ATRI Internet Mapping Function

8
Simple Data Analysis Predictive Modeling Tools

• CITYgreen

9
For Example

• Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment Model
  (L-THIA) www.lgean.org
• Generates
• estimated runoff volumes depths
• expected nonpoint source pollution loadings to
  waterbodies

10
L-THIA User Interface
11
L-THIA User Interface Inputs
12
L-THIA User Interface
Outputs
13
L-THIA User Interface
14

• Decision Support Tools Can...
• Help people make connections between land use
  decisions and natural resources
• Highlight consequences of projected land use
  change(s)
• Empower those with otherwise limited resources

15

• Decision Support Tools Can...
• Be cost effective
• Increase the capacity of decision-makers
• Raise the level of discussion at the local level

16
Reasons for DNR Planning Involvement

• Land Use is a DNR priority
• We are a landowner and neighbor in many
  communities.
• A proactive approach can encourage better natural
  resource management and protection.

17
Reasons for DNR Planning Involvement

• Comprehensive Planning Law
• A plan for every community by 2010
• Directions for state agency involvement
• Provides a framework for a plan - 9 elements

18
Supporting Land Use Decisions

• WI DNR recognizes that land use decisions have
  historically been under the jurisdiction of local
  governments.

19
Supporting Land Use Decisions

• Overall Goals
• Elevate the level of discussion
• Inform land use decisions
• Empower local decision-makers
• Protect the environment
• Create a role for decision support and impact
  assessment tools.

20
Changing LandscapesAnticipating the Effects of
Local Land Use DecisionsMarch 31
January 22-April 1, 2003
23, 2004Held
inMadison, WI
21

• Changing Landscapes
• Workshop Background
• Goals
• Introduce audience to decision support and impact
  assessment tools
• Evaluate tools on several measures
• Assess which tools would be most useful to
  decision-makers

22

• Changing Landscapes
• Workshop Background
• Diverse partner group
• State agencies
• EPA Region 5
• University and Extension
• NGOs and non-profits
• Target audience
• Those who work with or advise local
  decision-makers and the public on land use issues

23
Changing Landscapes Workshop Structure

• Ten decision support tools were demonstrated

• CommunityViz
• Dane Index
• TURM
• CITYgreen
• Assessing the Impacts of Development

• L-THIA
• PlaceIT
• Window to My Environment
• Digital Watershed
• What if?

24
Changing Landscapes Workshop Structure

• Evaluation forms assessed end-user opinions
• usefulness
• cost-effectiveness
• applicability
• Established a feedback loop to developers for
  tool refinement and innovations

25
Changing Landscapes Evaluation Form
26
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• Characteristics of decision support tools
• Help frame their understanding of tools
• Help answer the questions on reverse

27
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• Cost Investment to run
• Knowledge level Technical expertise needed
• Data required Data included or customization
  needed
• Staffing Time commitment
• Platform requirements Software needed

28
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• Validity Clarity of assumptions and premises
• Transparency Understanding how the tool is
  functioning
• Understandability Understanding the product
• Scope Site specific or broad application

29
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• Opinions about tool demonstrated
• Usefulness for participant
• Usefulness for public

30
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• 1. I think this tool could be useful in the work
  I do.
• Affordability
• Ease of use
• Need for training
• Similarity to other tools

31
Changing LandscapesEvaluation Process

• 2. I think this tool could help raise the
  publics level of discussion regarding land use
  decisions.
• Public interest in using
• Public expertise
• Need for training
• Public interest in learning more

32
Changing Landscapes Evaluation Results
33
Summary of CL Efforts

• At the end of evaluation phase
• solid toolbox
• established partner group
• interested audience
• Foundation to promote decision support tools as a
  means of enhancing local land use decisions

34
Using Decision Support Tools

• Tools determined to be most useful when they
• are free or affordable
• dont require additional training/education
• are spatially relevant
• required data is included or easy to find

35
Using Decision Support Tools

• Use tools from the beginning
• Tools selection must be based upon users skill
  level
• low-tech, free for beginners
• state-of-the-art, complex, time consuming for
  experts
• Tools shouldnt steal the show

36
Problems to Overcome

• No single tool perfect for everything
• Technology only as good as supporting data
• spatial information must be assembled and
  continually maintained
• Data often the limiting factor

37
Science Information Services Section on the
Internet

• www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/science/landuse

38

• QUESTIONS?
• Thank you!