Citizens want a say in what their communities look like, where development makes sense, and how natural assets can be protected. By applying geospatial technology and collaborating with planning professionals, their voices are being heard. The case studies in this book serve as templates for engaging citizen planners everywhere.

Citizen Planners: Shaping Communities with Spatial Tools describes how geographic information systems can be made accessible to ordinary citizens with little or no professional training to help plan and shape their local communities. The book focuses on the efforts of a group of Wisconsin citizens from all backgrounds who pushed for legislation that resulted in the GIS-based Wisconsin Land Information Program. The authors share the ideas, observations, experiences, and outcomes from this comprehensive effort showing readers what methods could be applied in their own geographic, political, and cultural environments.

Part I: Context Chapter 1: Thinking like a watershed: Seeking sustainability using geospatial technology Chapter 2: Back to the future: Land planning strategies evolve to face today’s challenges Chapter 3: Climate of change: The confluence of societal needs and technology Chapter 4: Data, information technology, and institutions: Building blocks for land planning and management Part II: Building the modern information system Chapter 5: Taking the first step: Building the Wisconsin Land Information Program Chapter 6: Status of the Wisconsin Land Information Program Chapter 7: Land records modernization: County success stories and statewide benefits Chapter 8: Wisconsin Land Information System: The dream of a statewide land information network Part III: Planning with information systems Chapter 9: The smart growth movement, planning, and information technology Chapter 10: Shaping a planning support system: From theory to practice Chapter 11: Defining planning questions and functionality Part IV: Tools of engagement Chapter 12: Tools of engagement Chapter 13: The Wisconsin Idea: Transferring ideas and technology to citizens Part V: Planning Analyst Chapter 14 : Planning Analyst module 1: Explore Chapter 15: Planning Analyst module 2: Analyze Chapter 16: Planning Analyst module 3: Allocate Chapter 17: Planning Analyst module 4: Evaluate Part VI: Gauging success Chapter 18: Lessons learned: Did better tools yield better results? Chapter 19: Through the gates: Innovation and adoption in two counties Chapter 20: Imagining the future