ABSTRACT
The research agenda addressing public participation GIS is, broadly speaking, evolving in two different directions. First, there is research examining the conventional use of standard GIS technologies by organizations with strong traditions of direct democracy; addressing issues of access; and whether or not this GIS can empower such groups, particularly those already occupying a marginalized social or geographical location (cf. Allen 1999; Jordan 1999; Kyem 1999). Second, some researchers, concerned that such GISs are not necessarily empowering, are beginning to examine alternatives to conventional use of GIS (cf. Krygier 1996; Harris and Weiner 1998; Shiffer 1998). These alternatives extend from the integration of narratives and local knowledge within current GIS software, to multimedia GIS, the design of collaborative decision support systems, and the use of non-hierarchical systems of information flow.
