Transcript The Role of Geography in Planning and Decision Making

The Role of Geography in
Planning and Decision Making
*What does it mean?
*What are the desired
outcomes and aims?
What is Geographical DecisionMaking?
Decision-making is the process of evaluating the
alternatives and choosing a course of action in order to
solve a problem.
Geographical decision making is the systematic process
of evaluation the alternatives and choosing a course of
action in order to solve a geographical problem, issue or
need.
Geographical decision-making typically involves trying
to make sense of, and resolve complicated people –
environmental relationships.
Geographical Decision-Making and the People – Environment
Relationship
Quality of People – Environment
Relationship
Better
Desirable Trend: Decisions
needed to increase rate of
Progress
No Change but
Decisions needed to
sustain Environment
Maintain
Same
Undesirable Trend
Decisions needed to
reverse or limit
Deterioration
Worse
Future
Present
Time
Predicted Trend of Change
Geographical Decisions Strategy
Geography Decision Makers often works with
Complex relationships of issues, options and evidence
Uncertainty about the future
Wide range of natural and cultural factors
Rapidly changing situations
Imperfect or incomplete evidence
Conflicting viewpoints/value judgements
Wide ranging impacts and implications
More than one decision at a time
Different scales local -global
Short and long term timeframes
Geography and Planning
Planning:
is a PROCESS
done BY PEOPLE for people
is about reaching COMPROMISES
provides a FRAMEWORK(S) for systematically
gathering and presenting information
includes EVALUATING and MONITORING the
outcomes
results in BETTER decisions
A prime ingredient of planning is INFORMATION
•
Relevant
•
Source
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Up to date
Relies on INTERPRETATION
•
Values
•
Perceptions
•
Priorities
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Time frames
Involves ACTION implementing decisions
•
Plans
•
Concepts
•
model
Deals with multiple objectives Social, Physical, Environmental,
Economic, Political etc.
- People from different disciplines perceive the situation differently
- Geographers attempt to take all viewpoints into account
Thinking Skills
Social skills and valuing skills
Role of Geography in Planning and Decision
Making
Geography – is broad based
able to see relationships
is issues based
interested in people and the
environment relationships
relevant skills and concepts
Geographers can provide specialist
Input into planning and decision making
Acheivement Standard 90703 (3.3) Level 3 Credits 3
Explain the contribution of geography to planning and decision-making
processes
• Achievement
• Analyse the planning and decision-making processes.
• Explain the contribution of geography to the planning and decisionmaking processes.
• Achievement with Merit
• Analyse, in detail, the planning and decision-making processes.
• Explain, in detail, the contribution of geography to the planning and
decision-making processes.
• Achievement with Excellence
• Comprehensively analyse the planning and decision-making
processes.
• Explain and evaluate the contribution of geography to the planning
and decision-making processes.
Contribution of Geography to
Planning and Decision making
What does the geographer bring to the issue?
Geographers……

Take a broad perspective on an issue

Understand Natural and Cultural elements and interactions

Have and use a wide range of skills

Use Geographic models
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Appreciate different perceptions viewpoints and values
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Apply geographic theories and approaches

Use geographic ideas

Collect and use a wide range of information
1 Context
2
What/where is
this place/issue?
Context
Change
How is it changing?
Change
• Place
• Historical perspective
• Environment
• Reasons explanations
• Connections
• Processes involved
• interdependence
Issue
Choices
And
• Political
Enquiry
Futures
• Decision making
• Processes and actions
• Impact of change
• Roles, rights and
• Landscape
responsibilities
• Sustainability
5
Choices
Who will decide?
4 Futures
•
Local global
•
Quality of life
•
Equity and justice
People and
viewpoints
• Community response
• Personal response
• Alternative views
• Cultural aspects
What might the future be probable or
preferred?
3 Viewpoints
Why is it
like this?
Outcome
Consensus/ negotiation
Investigation
Process
(Research
Components)
Possible
Courses of
Action
Interested groups &
individuals involved
Issue Identified
1
2
3
option
Option
Option
Constraints
DESISION
Why do it?
To introduce students to informed planing and decision making processes and
the importance of the role of geography within it.
Create an awareness that informed decision making:
Utilises careful planning approaches
Helps to structure and understand the problem/issue
Ensures tasks are accomplished without omission
Frameworks help reduce duplication
Easier to apply the correct techniques at the right time
Provides confidence to tackle any problems
The logical sequence helps presentation
Careful planning can result in better decisions
Invaluable for students’ future activities in their communities and or vocations.
Enables students to appreciate the broader picture,
to see local issues, needs case studies in terms of:
- sustainability;
- citizenship;
- principles of the Treaty of Waitangi;
- Kaitiakitanga;
- interacting natural and cultural processes and
- environmental polices and strategies.
Although the study content will not be directly assessed in the
external exams the methods, skills, issues, models,
concepts, ability to analyse and synthesise etc will be
indirectly assessed in Achievement Standard 3.4.
Formatting
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Be realistic about 6,000 words plus maps figure diagrams and references
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An abstract (summary of issue, role of geography, background, student’s
methods, findings predictions)
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Contents page
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Figures list
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Introduction integrating the geographic significance and role of geography
into description explanation and background of the issue
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Body of report including research methods and findings re alternative
courses of action based on evidence
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Conclusion of findings
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Recommendation(s) /decision containing a well developed argument for
course of action and weakness / constraints of the other option.
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Analysis of Geographer’s contribution including evaluation of the
methodology and validity of findings.
REFERENCES
Akehurst, N, et al 2001, University Bursary and Scholarship Geography,
ESA Year 13 Study Guide, ESA Publications Auckland.
Hensman, J.M. and Hensman, J.R. (Eds), 1992, Planning and DecisionMaking, New House, Auckland.
Le Heron, R , Flaws, M. & Logie, J. (2003), The role of Geography - Getting
the most out of the NZGS Planning and Decision making competition, New
Zealand Journal of Geography. Brebner Print, Hamilton.
Lennon, B.J. and Cleves, P.G.(1983), Techniques and Fieldwork, Bell and
Hyman, London
Ministry of Education,(1990), Syllabus for Schools: Geography Forms 5-7,
Learning Media, Ministry of Education, Wellington.
Ministry of the Environment,(1993), People, Policies and Plans: Planning
Resource Management in New Zealand at http://.www.mfe.govt.nz
Regional Councils
TKI
Treaty of Waitangi – consultation
Kaitiakitanga
Achievement Standards 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6
Transit NZ