Leveraging GIS for policy design: spatial analytics as a strategic tool

Kathryn Hannum, Adam M. Wellstead*, Michael Howlett, Anat Gofen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We examine how geographic information system (GIS) tools contribute to policy design. Most accounts suggest that they merely generate information and data that can be used to enhance policy choices, a “design of services” perspective. More recent studies, however, suggest that GIS tools can also be used as procedural policy instruments, that is, to improve decision-making by facilitating stakeholder co-design and co-production processes, or what can be referred to as the designing “for” services. The activities of 57 GIS-based policy innovation labs (PILs) are examined. Seven critical but underutilized co-production activities that contribute to the attainment of public value are identified.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPolicy Design and Practice
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • co-production
  • Geographic information systems
  • policy design
  • policy innovation labs
  • procedural policy instruments
  • public value

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