Expert Systems and Geographic Information Systems for Impact Assessment [Paperback]

Impact Assessment is becoming part and parcel of an increasing number of development proposals in the UK and Europe. As the practice of Impact Assessment develops it becomes more standardized and good practice starts to be defined. However, the quality of Impact Assessment is still far from satisfactory. Expert Systems and GIS for Impact Assessment discusses the potential of integrating these two well known computer technologies to help with the process of Impact Assessment. The proposition behind the work is that all three areas are potentially complementary and that mutual benefits can be gained from bringing them together in the field of planning.

Following an introduction to each area, the various ways in which GIS and Expert Systems can be applied are discussed. This book is aimed at professionals working with Environmental Impact Assessment, GIS and expert-systems professionals and students in these areas.PART ONE
Chapter 1
1. Introduction
2. Expert Systems: what about space?
3. Geographical Information Systems: more than display tools?
4. GIS problems and potential
5. Impact Assessment: ripe for automation?
6. The IA process
7. Environmental Statements
8. Integration: the way ahead?
REFERENCES

Chapter 2
1. Introduction
2. Expert Systems and Artificial Intelligence
2.1.The classical period
2.2.The romantic period
2.3.The modern period
2. Expert systems: structure and design
3. The promise of Expert Systems?
4. From Expert Systems to Decision Support Systems
5. Conclusions: expert systems are dead, long live expert systems?
REFERENCES

Chapter 3
1. Introduction
2. Impact Assessment and Environmental Management
3. The role of GIS
4. GIS for Impact Assessment
4.1. GIS mapping for Impact Assessment
4.2. GIS linked to external models for IA
4.3. Using GIS' own functl#-