A Critique of a Recently Implemented Spatial Planning and Design Project Using Geodesign Theory

Preparatory Task

For this assignment, you select and review a recently implemented and reported spatial planning and design project Aim is to critically review the work flow and the application of geospatial technologies in the project with the help of Geodesign theory. This should help you to demonstrate your grasp of Geodesign theory and, in the future, apply it to help organise the work flow and the application of geospatial technologies in a planning and design project relevant to your field of work. 

To successfully complete the assessment, you need to complete the following tasks: 
Preparatory Task. Select a planning and design project. In selecting a project, it is important that the project

(a) deals with a spatial planning intervention at a regional or landscape scale;

(b) the design and decision making process has been concluded (it is ok if the implementation, i.e. construction, is still ongoing); (c) sufficient literature and/ or reports are available for you to reconstruct the workflow and the use of (analogue and/ or digital) geospatial technologies. Also, ensure that the project

(d) has a connection to your prior knowledge due to your professional expertise or your knowledge otherwise of the type of project, the area or the technologies applied. Point (d) is important because it will help you is evaluating the project and drawing lessons from it .

You have the liberty to select either a project organised and supported by geospatial technologies in a way that fits the definition and workflow of Geodesign closely or a project that was not run in practice in line with Geodesign but could have benefited from being run as such. We have made available on Canvas in Assignments the conference proceedings of two European Geodesign Summits, which contain several case studies. But you are free to select cases from elsewhere as long as they meet the criteria stipulated above. 

Reporting task 1. Explain your choice for this planning and design project and outline its main characteristics in terms of (a) the problem/ objectives it sought to address; (b) the participants in the process; (c) a timeline of the major activities, milestones and decisions. Incorporate in your outline visuals, e.g. maps, diagrams, photographs to communicate the project characteristics as clearly as possible. 

Reporting task 2. Critically review in light of Geodesign Theory the workflow in terms of how the process was structured and how the participants were more or less involved at different stages. Be explicit about your review criteria grounded in Geodesign Theory, clearly explain the strengths and weaknesses you have identified and, for the weaknesses, make recommendations for improvement. 

Reporting task 3. Critically review in light of Geodesign Theory the application of geospatial technologies in support of the project. Be explicit about your review criteria grounded in Geodesign Theory, clearly explain the strengths and weaknesses you have identified and, for the weaknesses, make recommendations for improvement. 

Reporting task 4. Summarise your main conclusions about the success of the project and the lessons you draw from the review as a GIS professional.