Evaluating Geodesign for Community-Based Tribal Planning

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings

Geodesign is a technology-supported planning approach that combines community collaboration and engagement with geospatial analysis to make land use decisions quickly. In this study we tested the role of Geodesign in improving the quality of local plans through community participation and collaborative decision making supported by geospatial analysis. Our research evaluates Geodesign as a tool and process in establishing community engagement in planning decisions by applying and analyzing Geodesign in two Navajo Nation communities in Arizona to use scientific and community knowledge to make consensus-based decisions for land use planning. There are three critical components to this analysis. First, we evaluate the use of Geodesign as a plan-making tool. Second, we examine how Geodesign can be inclusionary for planning using Arnstein’s ladder of citizen participation with marginalized American Indian communities. Finally, we look at the planner’s role and required planning expertise in developing successful Geodesign plans. We conclude that Geodesign can empower historically marginalized Indigenous communities to make community-based land use plans that leverage local knowledge/values and geospatial analysis.

Takeaway for practice

Planners can use Geodesign approaches to collaborate and guide marginalized communities to engage in the planning process and incorporate diverse perspectives and cultural values in decision making. A planner should judiciously apply their expertise in their role as a planning facilitator, trainer, and knowledge resource. Using geospatial data and community engagement, Geodesign produces community-based land use plans.

Keywords:

• community-based planning
• decision support
• Geodesign
• Indigenous planning
• marginalized communities
• participatory GIS
• public participation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Coppermine and LeChee chapters of the Navajo Nation and the Office of Navajo Government Development for their support and involvement.

RESEARCH SUPPORT

This study was supported by the Navajo Nation, Residual Funding, 2018.

Notes

1 Articles published in the Journal of American Planning Association (JAPA) and in Landscape and Urban Planning (LAUP) are two of three papers published from a PhD dissertation on American Indian planning from Arizona State University. The JAPA paper focuses on the role of planners in the Geodesign planning approach, specifically when working with marginalized communities. The paper published by LAUP titled “Evaluation of Community-Based Land Use Planning Through Geodesign: Application to American Indian Communities” shows that four key indigenous values can be incorporated in the land use planning process using Geodesign. They are 1) local governance, 2) use of alternate ways of knowing, 3) the land as sacred, and 4) interconnectedness of people and environment. There is some evaluation methodology overlap between the papers, which connects the case studies used in the dissertation. The significant evaluation difference is that the JAPA article uses a focus group approach to deeply explore participatory processes in American Indian communities using Arnstein’s ladder. The outcomes in JAPA illustrate the opportunities for planners using Geodesign to improve participation for American Indian communities.

2 All geographical data and land use plans collected and developed through the Geodesign process have been delivered to the Office of Navajo Government Development, Coppermine and LeChee chapters. All research data including qualitative information are within the possession of these same entities as well as the Navajo Nation Institutional Research Board (IRB). This research has been approved and reviewed by the Navajo Nation IRB under NNR-17.293, “Evaluating Geodesign as a Planning Framework for Navajo Nation Chapters.”

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jonathan Davis

JONATHAN DAVIS ([email protected]) is an instructor of urban and environmental planning at Arizona State University.

K. David Pijawka

K. DAVID PIJAWKA ([email protected]) is a professor emeritus of urban planning at Arizona State University.

Elizabeth Wentz

ELIZABETH WENTZ ([email protected]) is a professor of geography at Arizona State University.

Michelle Hale

MICHELLE HALE ([email protected]) is an assistant professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University.

David A. King

DAVID A. KING ([email protected]) is an assistant professor of urban planning at Arizona State University.