GIS APPLICATION IN PLANNING

GIS is a  computer based program tool  used by many different organizational background  to solve problems and improve processes in their organizations. As a computer based program, THE GIS has its components as follow.

1. Hardware/Software: is a central application of GIS and  is used to store and process  geographical information or features. Geographical features contains administrative boundaries,networks points location of sites, and site elevation.

2. Data is the core part of GIS. This contains vector and rater data. Vector data is related to spatial data that presented as  polygon, lines and points. Raster data is a cell-based data such as aerial imagery and digital elevation models.

3. Another important element of GIS is people. people here are  those technician  who can  operate the GIS to Analise,and develop  data.

 Most of the data  that are analyzed using GIS is related to geographical features.


GIS also  plays important roles  in urban planning. Planners in present day do rely on using  the GIS Technology to do  research,develop,implement and monitor any progress of their plans such as plans
 on infrastructure,economic,social  and environment  in all level of governments (local,regional,national and federal). By using the GIS, planners will assist governments to increase efficiency in planning, improve accuracy, increase access to governments by promoting greater collaboration among public agencies,save time, provide decision support and enhance public participation.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE & IMPLICATION FOR AUSTRALIA

Lecture of this week was looking at major planning  from three different countries; Paris,Germany, and Phenom-Penh.

• Paris:  Most of the discussion covers  building code, specifically applied for cultural town, and Model of transport around the metropolitan city. Model of transport include: metro subway, RER train, buses and Velib's bike.
• RER is underground network of high speed train operated in  six (6) lines to link, suburbans and  cities around Paris.
•  Buses is extremely common sight in Paris. Most of major streets have special bus lines. There are over 8300 bus stops provided, and some 300 kilometers city's bus routes.
•  Another additional friendly transport mean introduced by the government of Paris is Velib's bike. the government has commitment to promote the use of bike in the capital city of Paris as it is environmentally  more friendly   to get around.. 
•   It is about half the city’s land area, will be converted to prioritize biking, with two-way travel allowed even on streets reserved for one-way car traffic. Further, by 2020, most of  the city's major streets in Paris will have dedicated like lanes and the network will begin to extend out into the near suburbans. In Paris, the government also introduce environmentally friendly tram transport system which cover four tramways lines.

Germany: the first choice of transportation in German is train. Government has developed an Inter City Express train (ICE) that is more comfortable,reliable and fast which supported by excellent rail network.

 Further,  there is  another  transport mean  in Germany which also covered in the class discussion.
 ]Tram is a mean of public transport in Germany that performs essential function as urban transport.However, operational costs like maintenance costs is very expensive.

Phnom penh: This country has  an area of 678km2  with  population about 1 million. The the proportion of population growth is about 3.92% which means 5.358 population/km2. This population growth contributes to many urban issues include traffic  Congestion. The traffic congestion in the country  has been supported by lack of a corresponding expansion of its passport system. In order for the government to  eliminate this issue, traffic education, traffic network improvement, and traffic volume reduction are needed. This could be achieved by developing a better transport system.

A STUDY CASE:BATEMANS BAY-EUROBODALLA

Topic for Class discussion this week was about: a study case of south coast Batemans bay- Eurobodalla.

The class focuses on some important aspects related to Eurobodalla as one of the local-based tourism destination. As Eurobodalla is a tourism-based destination in NSW, infrastructure development in order to make the spot more attractive to local and/ or international tourist to come visit is very important. 

However, there are economic, social and environment issues effects Eurobodalla to be less attractive. Firstly, proportion of population is significantly increased simultaneously with demand of house and apartment.  Secondly, inadequate physical infrastructure such as libraries, swimming pools, sewage treatment plants, access ways, recreation and social facilities.  Thirdly, aging and low income population and financial growth constraint. Finally, impact of development to vegetation communities in the coastal areas is in risk. 

Environment issue has become a major concern of the government, population and stakeholders in the area. Most of issues related to risks from infrastructure development in the coastal area that can trigger adverse impact on environment. These adverse impacts are:

1.      1. Possible increase of erosion from coastal storms

2.        2.   Possible oceanic inundation

3.     3. Rise of sea level

In order to solve the existing issues, the NSW government is expected to create a planning scheme. The planning scheme should include following important element of planning; such as, the infrastructure policy, stakeholder’s participation, community engagement and public consultation.

In order for the local government to identify   issues faced by residents and local industries operator in the Eurobodalla, stakeholder and community engagement and consultation need to be done. By doing so, the government will be easier to identify and solve the issues effectively

In particular to sea level rise, the NSW government has provided a number of responses or solution approaches; such as, coastal risks assessment and evaluation, public notification, reduction of intensive land use in coastal risk area, considering more option for future infrastructure development, and minimization of exposure of development in coastal risks areas.

The NSW government has implemented some planning. As an example, two new infrastructure developments; such as, Surf beach Bulky Goods Retails/Lifestyle center and Batemans Bay Sewerage Treatment Expansion.

Community and stakeholder  round table meeting with the government authorities were also  demonstrated in the class. There were a representative from federal government (Chief Minister and minister of planning), representative of state government of NSW (Premier), representative of community/resident and also representative of restaurant. The meeting was focus on two important things, first, problem identification from resident and owner of restaurant. Secondly, the respond of government (federal and state) to issues. 

Infrastrucutre and planning for Molonglo Development

There is an important aspect of the planning for development from Patrick's presentation this week. Planning for Infrastructure in the aspect of any development is the most important approach. Like the Molonglo development, the infrastructure consideration in the development becomes first priority. As a consequence, the infrastructural development in Molonglo is likely to go well.  In particular, East Timor’s infrastructure and planning development specifically for urban and regional infrastructure development is still under uncertain direction.

In East Timor, the Minister of infrastructure is responsible for the infrastructure development. However, what becomes public concerns since after  the country got its independence in 1999 for infrastructure development in the country are: firstly, lack of strategic infrastructure policy in important areas such as;  transport, road urban development, power, communications and water supply and sanitation, secondly,   lack of controls and monitoring system to infrastructure development specifically to guide the private sectors and developers to promote the quality. This picture depicts one of unsustainable road quality. Even though the country has been receiving financial aids under bilateral agreement with other countries specifically to rebuild and improve infrastructure development in the country, the government through the ministry of infrastructure has not provided better infrastructure policy control.

 

The lack of the country’s strategic infrastructure policy control results in higher uncertain spending of government budget annually. In addition to two issues above, there is also a lack of engineering investigation to the quality of the infrastracture development.As a result, almost all roads in the country need fixing in every three months.

A different issue related to  startegic development. In East Timor, there has not been  a clear stategic development for the infrastructure specifically for urban development sector. this issue difficult the governemnt to take relevant action to improve the development. As an example, in the capital city, there is no clear land use policy and plan houses and building are built randomly without  any infrastracture policy  to control.

In summary, there is important for government (national to local) to consider the importantce of  infrastracture and planning development. In particular, This development approach is very important and applicable as a good approach to infrastracture nad planning development for East Timor.

This picture shows an issue related to house layout in the capital city of East Timor.

Urban Redevelopment

The urban redevelopment scenario of  Dockland is a very fascinating topic in this week. and the most significant aspects of this topic is about the historical timeline of Dockland development as well tremendous changes. Stakeholders contribution in the process of changing or redeveloping the Dockland has become the most important consideration of any kind of development. Stakeholders of any kind of development may seem to be different because it depends also on the effects of the outcomes generated by any development. In the case of Dockland redevelopment, again it can be used as a good reference by underdeveloped countries  like East Timor to consider stakeholders contribution if the government is willing to allocate country's budget for infrastructure development in the country. Further, A robust cooperation between government and private sector should be tightened.This is because, the private sector can also play important role in term of country's development through many possible ways such as; Private sector can become the implementer  of  government development  initiative. in another way,, the private sector can also provide financial assistance to  make any development to happen. By considering these facets, I believe that the development like local development could be well- implemented.

Local Planning in Victoria,Australia

The planning approaches inspired from and to  local level is one of the good  mechanism  in order to assist the national development ambition  to be  achieved. What I have learned from The local planning in Australia specifically from  the Victoria's Local Planning is very  important for me as The local planning approach in Victoria gives new and  crucial insight to consider local planning for East Timor. One exemplary step that has been included in The Victoria  local planning scheme is that there is a clear planning provision that gives more opportunity  for the every development agencies to participate and give their thought the decision making process. In comparison to East Timor, there is an issue of planning provision. For example, the decision for planning provision is till coming from national level (National government)  and these has been the key issue so far.The compelling reason of this is that the government of East Timor  has not transferred the power down to local level  to make and take  necessary decision to plan on behalf of local level measure.  In other words, the government of East Timor has not implemented what is called Decentralization. Another important things that can contribute to a better income of  development plan in local level is by promoting active participation of stakeholders in the decision making process. In short, the Victoria's local  planning model can be adopted as an innovative stepping stone for the planning for local level in My country.

Canberra Nasional Heritage

This lecture held by Ed Wensing covers important aspect related with the National planning heritage system, Government Commitment and Planning Layers,Public Ownership Of Land, Canberra's Planning History,Planning model under Griffin, Griffin's amended Plan,Future Canberra, the Y plan,Metropolitan Policy plan/development Plan,Griffin Legacy,The National Heritage List,Canberra's planning and Heritage Values, and the last is Cartilage and Designated Areas..Historically, the Australian constitution includes an obligation to select  a site for the seat of the government, and Canberra according to the Australian constitution under section 125 is declared as the capital city of Australia. The government commitment in order to set the National heritage system was triggered by the worldwide design competition in 1912. In 2004, the national heritage system created  and the Canberra's planning history  which then was passed the threshold for entry in the National Heritage List. For example, the design of Walter Burley Griffin was selected in 1912 followed by the appointment of Federal Capital Director in 1913 to 1920 by Griffin. What I concern the most here is The The national planning heritage system encompasses Public Ownership of land, which covers history of land settlement in Australia and the public ownership of land created what is called a planners paradise, which is what a planners had decided actually happened. However, from my point of view, the national planning heritage system did not (does not) include and consider the private ownership of land specifically the boundary between them and also the role of private ownership of land in planning. There are many privately owned land in Australia that also need consideration, because sometimes the development that takes place under private land can give negative impacts on other habitats ( Environment protection and biodiversity conservation  Act 1999). in conclusion,, overall topic is about the importance of planning in Australia, and even though the planning structure has dramatically changed overtime the basic consideration for  previous Australian planning history still hold significant direction for today Australian planning..

Quenbeyan City council

Queanbeyan city council is committed to encouraging new investment and creating the right environment for new and existing development  to achieve their plans for growth in an appropriate manner.This commitment is run according the council's  mission that is, to work together with the community to continually enhance our well governed,safe, and healthy city by caring for its assets fostering a stranger sense of civic pride, and delivering quality services in financially, socially,and environmentally responsible manner to ensure a sustainable future. In order to achieve their vision, the council is divided into a number of different teams. for example, infrastructure team which is responsible for infrastructure planning and development within Queanbeyan, another one is Strategic development team whose responsibility is to maintaining, sustaining, and reviewing the long term strategic framework within which development in Queanbeyan city is assessed.Here, in terms of planning for Queanbeyan city, the council has been working very hard to achieve a better and sustainable outcome from the development by enhancing partnership and community engagement. In this regards,the council has established a community consultation and engagement policy to guide the council in implementing their mission. In addition to community consultation and engagement policy, a number of plans for different sector also developed, such as Queanbeyan Tomorrow community vision plan, and Queanbeyan community safety strategy. In 2011, The council has prepared a draft for local environment plan and it is now on public exhibition.  In my personal opinion that the Queanbeyan city council is a good model that can be used as reference for other city council within Australia and also other country.

PLANNING IN LOCAL LEVEL BY HAMISH SINCLAIR

This week discussion is  specifically looked at how the planning actually takes place at local scale. This encompasses planning framework that can eventually become the principle guideline for local level government to plan for the development in their areas.. The planning Framework covers a number of significant facets such s regulation. In this regards, it encompasses how the regulation should be made, and under which condition the regulation  is made.In addition to the making of the regulation, it also emphasis more on the benefit of a regulation to the development planning in the local level, which is to control zoning system,building houses, land uses by looking closely on whether or not such regulation is appropriate.There is also a discussion on the hierarchy of development plan such as from Regulation down to Guidelines. More on this Mr. Sinclair also discussed on the differences among planning elements  such as Policy versus Plan, Plan making policies versus regulatory policies which are sues to create administrative control. for instance, dealing with carbon emission issues. Specific discussion also put on the role of Master plan which deals with small section of development plan such as suburban.. The current use of master plan for example in tungranong and erindele Master plan. Development codes, which is about detail control for plan, is  also discussed. The development codes in development can be used to define car parking,bus stop location or street networks.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Personal perspective on planning and who actually gets involved or engaged in a planning process,and implementation through  direct or indirect participation. I am in favor of considering the direct and indirect participation of stakeholders in any kinds of planning process. The reason is that  the creation of a specific planning will be successfully achieved when there is an efficient contribution through a direct participation of stakeholders. Participation of stakeholders can be in form of written recommendation or they can play a direct role as implementers of a specific plan. let us consider an example for  a plan of a physical development such as building a bridge through a community area. The policy makers who are responsible for the implementation of this project should consider the level of community involvement in also other parties who would be directly and indirectly affected by the presence of the bridge if they want the project to be successfully implemented. when  doing so, the policy-maker should consider a number of facets such as intensive community and third parties consultation prior to the implementation of the project as this will give more hits to the police makers of what the perspective  of community and third parties. This will also provide important to the community and related stakeholders on  reason and importance of building a bridge in their area. By doing so, the two- communication will take place.However, based on my point of view that the community consultation and related  stakeholders consultation should not only stop after the completion of the project, but should also be done continuously even after physical  completion  of a project is completely done. The reason is that this will maintain  a strong and continuous coordination among  community, stakeholders and policymakers for long-term.. to conclude, the level of coordination among community,interested stakeholders and policy makers (government of any level)  need to be promote in the planning proccess.

A SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA

In order to achieve  a sustainable Australia,the government of Australia has developed  four  (4) important planning tools such as national urban planning policy,population strategy, regional strategy and local and territory strategic  plans.there is an interrelated connection among these planning tools and These planning tools have been set to assist in each level of Australian government to achieve a better economics, social, and environmental  development in Australia as a whole. As we all know that  the federal government of Australia is divided into three significant levels of government authorities  and these levels are: National, territory and local or regional level. Each level is given specific boundary of  administrative responsibility.The national urban policy is a set of national-level policy that is used by the federal government of Australia that  aims at achieving a sustainable Australia by setting up a sustainable population strategy which intended to create a liveable and sustainable Australian community in the future. Moreover, in order to create a sustainable Australia community, the government through related and more responsible governmental body has  to consider what type of condition need to support the achievement for a sustainable community. Therefore, a National urban policy that looks closely to cities development has also been developed. the reason of developing  a liveable city is because there is an interdependency  between a sustainable community and city itself. Here, a better city which put more consideration on economic, social and environment aspect such as amenity, and recreational needs can eventually shape a sustainable community. In addition to national urban policy, a regional policy agenda is also set up. The regional policy agenda seeks to improve the development in regional level within Australia. In this regards, a clear  strategic regional plan is created within each regional such as Regional plan for Sydney (2010-2015)The regional plan for Sydney developed to look specifically to the economic, social and environment within the context of Sydney. in order to make sure that regional plan meet the national standard, a council of Australia government has been formed to give clear orientation and direction. this Council develops a number of planning objective  and criteria for present and future strategic plan. The lecture also covered planning for local level like ACT. Within the ACT level, a number of  strategic plan has been developed such as territory plan,Canberra spatial plan,national capital plan,master plan ans also neighborhood plan.In conclusion, the sustainable Australia can only be achieved if a good consideration is put on economic, social and environmental needs among different areas within Australia..