Development of the regional/ local GIS/ Internet systems for management of cultural landscapes and other specific areas

In this theme Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Internet technologies are used as an effective tool of participatory and open planning and administration on the regional and local level at the Via Baltica Nordica zone. This means that GIS/ Internet technologies, including hardware, software, know-how and dissemination of possibilities, are transferred to the property of the regional and local actors as a result of the pilot projects.

The partners exchange their practical experiences from the day-by-day work with GIS in the regional and international working groups. Technical level discussions concern specific themes of economy and public administration. Focus is changed every half a year: e.g. GIS in the public administration, GIS and tourism, GIS and landscape management, GIS for civil participation and integration. Naturally there is a close connection to Internet and databases.

The main goals are planned on three levels:
1. Concrete results: landscape management plans, regional plans, master plans and touristic maps.
2. Process results: permanent know-how-transfer; creation of working groups for GIS and information management; participation and integration of actors (citizens, enterprises).
3. Strategic results: research and dissemination of the strategic significance of information management in the various scales and in close connection to the respective actors-network includes the specific importance of GIS within this

Additional shall be written a GIS-handbook step by step. The aim of this handbook is to provide an overview of GIS, their evolution, how they can work and possible applications they offer in specific themes and in an interdisciplinary information management. The handbook will be published also in Internet.

Partners: