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Advances in technology mean new tools for policy analysis and visualization are available to policymakers. These tools can communicate complex datasets, illustrate proposals, and facilitate discussion. They can provide the high level of transparency, access to high-quality information, and faithful public participation the public has come to expect. Used appropriately, these tools can help the public consider long time horizons, conduct holistic analyses incorporating multiple variables, and place local design and planning choices in a regional context. Combined with other reforms, new technology can contribute to a streamlined public participation process where citizens and advocates are empowered and informed.

However, significant challenges exist: technology evolves rapidly and requires training and resources to use properly. Most importantly, they require accurate, up-to-date, and detailed data inputs. A federated data system with timely and updated datasets will support the use of decision support tools.

In order to expand use of these tools, the region should create a clearinghouse of technology and expertise, and municipalities should incorporate these tools into local planning processes.

6)    Expand appropriate use of visualization and decision support technology in the region
Recent years have seen tremendous advancement in “planning support tools” that help regulators and stakeholders to understand the implications of different approaches to planning and development.  Such tools can help to build consensus, resolve disputes, and maintain consistency and accountability over time, and can be applied at a variety of different scales and time horizons, from an individual development proposal to a comprehensive plan.  

MetroFuture itself used such tools (in particular, the Community Viz software model) to help educate participants about the implications of alternative scenarios across a wide variety of topic areas.  Other planning support tools include more information about existing conditions or regional growth trends that will affect local conditions and should inform local decisions.   

However, many municipalities do not have the capacity to utilize such planning support tools.  Some towns have little data on recent development and current conditions; even fewer have the capacity to evaluate different future alternatives in a data-driven context.  The “buildout” maps funded by the state in 2000 contained useful information but the associated projections did not functionally support alternative decision-making.  

Decision support tools such as the Community Viz model could draw on the information contained in these maps to evaluate the impacts of alternative plans or development proposals.

6.a    MAPC and/or a regional public educational institution should create a clearinghouse of technology and expertise for visualization and decision support tools

6.b    Municipalities should invest in training and technology needed to incorporate decision support tools into local planning processes

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