- Public participation in management of urban regions: Study case: ”1000 Gaps in NRW, Germany”    1204 kb by    Golubovic-Matic, Darinka | dgolubovicmatic@hotmail.com    Short Outline The study case ”1000 Gaps in NRW, Germany” attempts to show the use of ICT as a support for public participation to solve the problem of oversized urban areas. Closing of gaps in the urban area is one of the methods of a sustainable management for the inner urban development towards urban sprawl. Abstract What is the interest for participants? The main interest for participants is to be faced with the study case of using ICT as a support for public participation to solve the problem of ugly vacant lots (gaps) and to enable inner development in their cities. This paper will give overview of the situation in Germany with respect to urban planning as well as implemented methods in urban planning practice which aim to achieve sustainable management of the land. Abstract: Current urban planning practice is faced with the challenges of urban growth and suburbanization. How to avoid an urban sprawl and achieve sustainable land use are the crucial questions? The strategy of inner development and its realization has to ensure sustainable land use as it relates to urban sprawl. This paper will give overview of the situation in Germany with respect to urban planning as well as implemented methods in urban planning practice which aim to achieve sustainable management of the land. The case study “1000 Gaps in NRW, Germany” give an example of using ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as an instrument, supporting public participation to solve the problem of ugly vacant lots (gaps) and to enable inner development in their cities. This case study will analyze the role of ICT as a support for public participation in the cities of NRW (LAND-Nordrhein Westfalen). The goal of the project (case study) is public participation and open discussion between citizens, owners of the lots and representatives of municipalities because public participation lies right at the heart of sustainable development. Sustainable communities will take different forms from place to place, but one thing that none of them will be able to do without is a broad and deep level of participation.” (Action Towards Local Sustainability, website introduction, 1999). Keywords ICT, public participation,gaps,sustainable management Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2004: Management of Urban Regions   Click to open the full paper as pdf document   Click to send an email to the author(s) of this paper