The Role of Geography in Planning and Decision Making

*What does it mean? *What are the desired

outcomes and aims?

What is Geographical Decision-Making?

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.

Better

Same

Worse

Geographical Decision-Making and the People – Environment Relationship

Present Future

Time

Predicted Trend of Change

Geographical Decisions Strategy

Undesirable Trend Decisions needed to reverse or limit Deterioration

No Change but Decisions needed to sustain Environment

Desirable Trend: Decisions needed to increase rate of Progress

Improve

Maintain

Restore

Qua

lity

of P

eopl

e –

Envi

ronm

ent

Rel

atio

nshi

p

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 PlanningPlanning:

is a PROCESSdone BY PEOPLE for people is about reaching COMPROMISES provides a FRAMEWORK(S) for systematically

gathering and presenting informationincludes EVALUATING and MONITORING the

outcomesresults in BETTER decisions

A prime ingredient of planning is INFORMATION • Relevant• Source• Up to dateRelies on INTERPRETATION• Values • Perceptions• Priorities• Time framesInvolves ACTION implementing decisions• Plans • Concepts• modelDeals 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 basedable to see relationshipsis issues basedinterested in people and the environment relationshipsrelevant 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 decision-

making 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 Appreciate different perceptions viewpoints and values Apply geographic theories and approaches Use geographic ideas Collect and use a wide range of information

Context• Place • Environment• Connections • interdependence

Change• Historical perspective• Reasons explanations• Processes involved

Choices• Political• Decision making• Processes and

actions• Roles, rights and

responsibilities

Futures• Impact of change• Landscape• Sustainability• Local global• Quality of life• Equity and justice

People and viewpoints

• Community response

• Personal response• Alternative views• Cultural aspects

IssueAnd

Enquiry

1 Context What/where is this place/issue?

2 Change How is it changing?

3 ViewpointsWhy is it

like this?

4 Futures What might the future be probable or preferred?

5 Choices Who will decide?

Outcome

DESISION

Consensus/ negotiation

1

option

2

Option

3

Option

Inve

stig

atio

n P

roce

ss

(Res

earc

h C

ompo

nent

s)

Possible Courses of

Action

Con

stra

ints

Issue Identified

Interested groups & individuals involved

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

• Be realistic about 6,000 words plus maps figure diagrams and references

• An abstract (summary of issue, role of geography, background, student’s methods, findings predictions)

• Contents page• Figures list• Introduction integrating the geographic significance and role of

geography into description explanation and background of the issue• Body of report including research methods and findings re alternative

courses of action based on evidence• Conclusion of findings • Recommendation(s) /decision containing a well developed argument

for course of action and weakness / constraints of the other option.• Analysis of Geographer’s contribution including evaluation of the

methodology and validity of findings.

REFERENCESAkehurst, 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 Decision-Making, 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, LondonMinistry 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 Treaty of Waitangi – consultation

TKI KaitiakitangaAchievement Standards 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6

Transit NZ