A regional development information system: A user-oriented design concept

摘要

This dissertation has explored, described and explained one means of linking the users and providers of geographic information applicable to the process of community economic development. This dissertation has produced a prototype design for a user-oriented information system for regional community economic development using personal computer technology.;The research question for this dissertation asks: Is it possible to design a user-oriented community economic development information system which would effectively link data users with data sources on a regional basis? The basic primes is that a regional community economic development information system will enhance the ability of individuals, organizations, and governments to effectively utilize a process of identifying, acquiring, and employing geographic knowledge regarding the processes and phenomena which could effect the economic development of communities at the regional scale.;The research design has produced an analysis of the characteristics of the information needs of those involved in regional community economic development, as well as the characteristics of the information available for such uses.;The comparison between characteristics of users' needs and characteristics of information provided, has derived the basic structure and process of the suggested regional community economic development information system.;This dissertation has shown that it is possible to create an opportunity to gain an improvement in knowledge, in the form of information, which should lead to an improvement in the ability of communities to understand their site and situation, to anticipate environmental change, and to achieve desired socio-economic conditions. Thus, this research suggests a means of enhancing a community's ability to persist and survive under changing economic conditions.;This dissertation has also shown that information could be effectively utilized if such information is provided in a form that is appropriate to the needs and characteristics of the information users.