An argumentation map prototype to support decision-making in spatial planning

Collaborative decision-making usually entails argumentation - the exchange of personal views on certain topics, in particular using logical reasoning. Argumentation is often structured into discussions with contributions by individual participants responding to each other. In spatial decision situations, most discussion contributions will contain geographic references. Argumentation Maps were developed to support geographically referenced discussions by cartographic visualization and query functionality. This concept makes geographic references in discussion contributions explicit and uses them for linking text messages to maps, and vice-versa. Based on an analysis of previous work on discussion and decision support in spatial planning, we propose a set of requirements and design guidelines for implementing Argumentation Maps. These guidelines are centred on two main issues: user friendliness and support of open standards. A prototype which implements interoperability specifications of the Open Geospatial Consortium demonstrates the usefulness and usability of Argumentation Maps for public participation in spatial planning.