Component-Based Approach in the Development of a Knowledge-Based Planning Support System (KBPSS). Part 1: The Architecture of KBPSS

Abstract

Urban planners need to have a flexible, interactive, and intelligent computer-based tool to support their use of analytical models and to structure their planning process. Existing spatial information systems have not developed appropriate procedures and mechanisms to enable easy construction and manipulation of models within their system environment, and to allow various information resources to be shared by different application systems and platforms. Recent research and development of planning support systems (PSS) provide a range of interesting concepts and frameworks that can be adopted by system developers to design a multifunctional and planning-specific decision support system to meet the multifaceted needs of the planning process. In this paper we aim to go beyond the current approaches of PSS and spatial decision support systems (SDSS) in designing a knowledge-based PSS (KBPSS) that uses the component-based software development (CBSD) approach. We introduce the features of CBSD and its technical advantages in the design of a multifunctional PSS. An architecture of a component-based KBPSS is subsequently proposed which incorporates four essential component systems: MapObjects GIS, Database Manager database management system, ModelObjects model-management system, and KBSAgents knowledge-based system. The first two components are based on proprietary components systems and can be easily adapted into the KBPSS environment. The ModelObjects and KBSAgents components were developed by the authors. Based on these components and their associated information layers, two application subsystems are constructed: a Model and Knowledge Development System and an Intelligent Model Selection System. These application systems can be used to assist users and model developers to build new models or to select predefined models from an existing model library for their problems. In order to implement these functions, we propose and define a number of procedures and techniques for component communication and model and knowledge development.

Geographical Information System (GIS) as a Planning Support System (PSS) in Urban Planning: Theoretical Review and its Practice in Urban Renewal Process in Hong Kong

“…Recent research and development of planning support systems (PSS) provide a range of interesting concepts and frameworks that can be adopted by system developers to design a multifunctional and planning-specific decision support system to meet the multifaceted needs of the planning process (Yeh & Qiao, 2004). It can be characterized as a spatial decision-making systems with particular application for planning, which involve a wide range of professionals with diverse backgrounds and the general public concerned (Jiang, Huang & Vasek, 2003).…”

The design and applications of GIS-based multi-criteria decision making for participatory spatial planning

“…Both ArcObjects and MapObjects are built using Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM) technology. Such a novel COM development method has been succeeded in developing some practical spatial decision support system 21,22 . Figure 3 is the interface of GIS-based spatial decision module.…”

Web-based Spatial Decision Support Systems (WebSDSS): Evolution, Architecture, Examples and Challenges

“…These services can be executed at the provider's site to alleviate incompatibility problems. For example, Yeh and Qiao [2004] developed a component-based approach for implementing a knowledge-based planning support system. Thus, a service-based SDSS provides ubiquitous access to "spatial computational services" from anywhere, anytime, using any device.…”