The Niche for Public Participation GIS in ICT Development for Local E-governance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to propose a new model of public participation in planning and development of local governments using a web based GIS application supported by local authority’s ICT development. It espoused Geographic Information System (GIS) implementation, through Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) for supporting decision-making in local government. In this report, the ICT development venture in the Municipal Council of Ruiru, Kenya, was used as a case study to bring out the need for enhancing active public participation in local development through a web-based GIS application. The concepts of GIS, PPGIS and e-govemance were defined and the role of PPGIS in complementing e-govemance examined. This involved examining the public view of the ICT development for promoting e-govemance implementation strategy in a local government as a base for further discussion. Special attention was given to analyzing the variables that influence the public perception of the development of the local authority’s website, considering the needed input to promote public active utilisation of the site., It was concluded that PPGIS holds many opportunities to enhance active public participation and legitimize planning and development, thus promoting better local governance.