| dc.description.abstract | This research explores the role and impact of contemporary mobile planning support
applications in infrastructural interventions in Dutch cities. By examining the implementation
of these apps in three local case studies, insight is gained into their key features, how
effective they are and how they impact broader planning processes. The findings show that
these apps, which include features for communication and stakeholder interaction, may
significantly improve the quality and quantity of feedback from residents. Planning
professionals use this to achieve detailed and well-informed planning processes as well as
increased stakeholder satisfaction.
The study contributes to the relatively new field of Planning Support Science (PSScience) by
integrating the findings within existing models of conceptualizing digital tools in planning and
participation. The main addition that emerges from the results and analysis, is the new
conceptualization of ‘Designing users’. These users play a significant role in bridging the
implementation gap between technical capabilities and practical implementation. They
achieve this by existing at a central node between governments, contractors and
stakeholders. This gives them an important role that has not been explicitly described in
literature.
In conclusion, mobile planning support applications are shown to offer significant benefits for
improving communication and engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways. However,
they are not a panacea that may solve all communicative and participatory challenges in the
near future. Future research may address limitations and expand on the findings presented in
the current research to achieve a more complete, user-focused, digital integration in
planning. | |
