The role of Public Participatory Geographical Information Systems (PPGIS) in coastal decision-making processes: an example from Scotland, UK

This paper explores a technical solution (GIS-application) as a possible alternative for public participation in coastal decision-making. Through examination of a Scottish local case study, the paper examines the evidence that Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and more specifically Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS), can lead to or influence greater legitimacy in decision making in public participation in coastal management and waterfront development. Whilst demonstrating that GIS and PPGIS have considerable potential to provide the public with access to accurate data and factual information, to be able to integrate multiple and disparate data sources to allow merging of data, and to use various visualisation techniques, the complexities associated with PPGIS suggest that further research is required to establish if and how participatory GIS can increase legitimacy in a decision-making process.