Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Urban planning and management play crucial roles in shaping sustainable and efficient cities. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become indispensable tools in this field, providing valuable spatial data analysis capabilities. This thesis focuses on the development of a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS) specifically tailored for urban planning and management. The primary objective is to enhance decision-making processes by integrating spatial data analysis, visualization, and modeling functionalities within a user-friendly interface. The research begins with a comprehensive literature review to establish the theoretical framework and identify key concepts, methodologies, and technologies relevant to GIS-based decision support systems in urban planning. The literature review also explores existing DSS applications in urban planning and management to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. The methodology chapter details the research design, data collection methods, and the development process of the GIS-based DSS. Key components include data acquisition, database design, system architecture, algorithm development, and user interface design. The research methodology emphasizes a systematic and iterative approach to ensure the effectiveness and usability of the DSS. The findings chapter presents the results of the GIS-based DSS development process, including system functionalities, data analysis capabilities, visualization tools, and user interactions. The discussion section evaluates the performance of the DSS in addressing urban planning challenges, such as land use optimization, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk management. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and contributions of the research, highlighting the significance of the GIS-based DSS for enhancing decision-making processes in urban planning and management. The study demonstrates the potential of integrating GIS technologies with decision support systems to improve spatial data analysis, scenario planning, and policy formulation in urban environments. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on GIS applications in urban planning and provides a practical framework for developing decision support systems tailored to the unique challenges of urban areas. The GIS-based DSS offers a valuable tool for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and promote sustainable development in cities.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Development of a GIS-based Decision Support System for Urban Planning and Management" aims to address the growing complexities and challenges faced in urban planning and management through the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Urban areas are experiencing rapid population growth, infrastructure development, and environmental concerns, necessitating efficient and data-driven decision-making processes. This research project seeks to develop a comprehensive GIS-based system that can facilitate urban planning and management activities by providing spatial analysis, visualization, and decision support tools. The project will begin with a detailed review of existing literature on GIS applications in urban planning, highlighting the benefits and limitations of current systems. This will provide a foundation for identifying gaps in the existing research and guiding the development of a more robust and tailored GIS-based decision support system. By leveraging GIS technology, the proposed system aims to enhance data integration, analysis, and visualization capabilities to support urban planners and decision-makers in addressing complex urban challenges. The research methodology will involve a systematic approach to system design and development, including data collection, processing, and integration, as well as the implementation of spatial analysis algorithms and decision support tools. The GIS-based system will be designed to be user-friendly, scalable, and adaptable to different urban contexts, allowing for customization based on specific planning and management needs. Through case studies and simulations, the project will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the developed system in addressing real-world urban planning scenarios. The expected outcome of this research project is a practical and innovative GIS-based decision support system that can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of urban planning and management processes. By providing planners and decision-makers with advanced spatial analysis tools and visualization capabilities, the system aims to streamline decision-making processes, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall urban development outcomes. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to the advancement of smart and sustainable urban planning practices through the integration of GIS technology.