URISA Journal Special Issue

 ‘Looking Forward to the Past: Reflections on Using Applied PPGIS to Define Community’

Call for Papers for a Special Issue of the

Journal of Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA Journal)

Guest Editors: Dr. Michelle M. Thompson and Kelly D. Owens
Department of Planning and Urban Studies, University of New Orleans

The application of geographic information systems (GIS) continues to emerge as the tools are adopted by both information and social sciences.  The ability to share dwindling resources by community, municipal and university partners has moved from the desktop to the information highway.  Early definitions of public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) emphasized the university as the change agent since the technology drove collaboration. Resident-led PPGIS models focus on the collection and distribution of neighborhood level data using distributed web-based interfaces.

This special issue of the URISA Journal, scheduled for publication in November 2012, is intended to update the available body of applied GIS literature.  In particular, research should explore problems or questions on PPGIS strategies including effectiveness measures and implementation at varying levels of delivery. The discussion should include the changes in technology and data definitions including ‘volunteered geographic information’ or ‘VGI’ in the PPGIS model. Research may consider what influence of ‘crowdsourcing’ as a means to move PPGIS from participatory to action research, as well as, the impact on public policy in local and international spheres.  Research that considers PPGIS in emerging markets, shrinking cities or post-disaster environments and how the application of a PPGIS can aid in relearning pedagogy are considered an important perspective.

While it is important to consider the foundations of PPGIS and the traditional definitions of ‘partnership’, articles should describe how, or if, the model of participation has changed. When using contemporary examples, describe their ethical considerations in emerging markets from any part of the earth and address both earth and human-environment research.

The most important requirement is that authors describe “applied” research that is drawn from known theoretical models. The application must contribute to practical knowledge and understanding that has the potential to inform contemporary and rational decision-makers (whether community or government).  We are particularly interested in work that provides detailed history on the methods used to develop the project, how these applications changed and the results of PPGIS in urban and rural contexts.

RECOMMENDED TOPICS: Topics to be discussed in this special issue include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Resident-led or community-driven processes where crowdsourcing was introduced
• Public policy initiatives that require community engagement using technology
• New analyses of recent historical regional or global trends that contribute to present day understanding of applied PPGIS
• Pedagogy that incorporates PPGIS in traditional GIS course training
• Evaluated and best practice analysis of spatial environments that deploy VGI
• Development of processes or tools that increase access to integrated public and municipal data
• Innovations and non-traditional applications of PPGIS in non-planning or geography fields
• Online collaborations involving historical spatial data, including Web 2.0 initiatives
• Implications of volunteered geographic information’ as “post modern GIS” theoretical model

IMPORTANT DATES:

Abstract submissions due:                                            May 2, 2011

Notification of article acceptance:                                June 1, 2011

Full manuscript submissions due:                                  August 1, 2011

Notification of conditional acceptance:                         December 2, 2011

Final revised manuscripts due:                                      March 1, 2012

Final manuscripts ready for URISA Journal:                     April 2, 2012

Publication:                                                                 November 2012

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for Looking Forward To The Past: Reflections On Using Applied PPGIS To Define Community’ on or before May 2, 2011.  All submissions must be submitted by e-mail to info@urisa.org. Manuscripts selected for publication must be original and may not be under review by any other publication.  Interested authors should consult the URISA Journal guidelines for manuscript submissions: http://www.urisa.org/urisajournal. Authors should review the Journal copyright policy located here: http://www.urisa.org/journal_copyright_policy.  Directions for submission will be provided to author(s) who are requested to submit a manuscript. All submitted papers will be reviewed on a blind, peer review basis. Papers must follow APA style for reference citations.  Abstracts must be submitted directly to the guest editors as directed below.

Abstract submissions should be directed to the attention of Dr. Michelle M. Thompson and Kelly D. Owens by e-mail to info@urisa.org.

ABOUT THE URISA JOURNAL:  The URISA Journal is the flagship publication of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association and is published semi-annually both in print and online. This is a peer-reviewed journal. The Editor-in-Chief is Dr. Piyushimita  (Vonu) Thakuriah.

About the Guest Editors:  Dr. Michelle M. Thompson is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Orleans Department of Planning & Urban Studies. She teaches applied geographic information systems and land use planning. Her research focuses on community and economic development, market analysis and PPGIS. Kelly Owens, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of New Orleans, is currently researching community relations within a public/private mixed-income community.