Utility of collaborative GIS for maritime spatial planning: Design and evaluation of Baltic Explorer. Issue 3 (26th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koski, Christian; Rönneberg, Mikko; Kettunen, Pyry; Eliasen, Søren; Hansen, Henning Sten; Oksanen, Juha
• Is Part Of: Transactions in GIS. Volume 25:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1347
• Page End: 1365
• Publication Date: 2021-02-26
• Subjects: Geographic information systems -- Periodicals; 910.285
• DOI: 10.1111/tgis.12732
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-1682

Abstract

Abstract: Maritime spatial planning (MSP) needs tools to facilitate discussions and manage spatial data in collaborative workshops that involve actors with various backgrounds and expertise. However, the reported use of spatial tools in real‐world MSP is sparse. A better understanding is needed of how geographic information systems (GIS) can effectively support collaboration in MSP. We studied the utility of GIS tools for collaborative MSP in five steps: first, identifying shortcomings in available GIS for supporting collaborative MSP; second, defining requirements for an effective collaborative GIS (CGIS) for MSP; third, designing and developing a prototype CGIS, Baltic Explorer; fourth, demonstrating the system; and fifth, evaluating the system. In a real‐world MSP workshop, we demonstrated that the functionalities of Baltic Explorer can support and facilitate discussions in collaborative work. We also found that more research is needed about the use of spatial data in collaborative MSP and integration of model‐based geospatial analysis into CGIS.