Redlands, CA -- The American Planning Association, Information Technology Division, in partnership with the University of Louisville, and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), with additional sponsorship from Urban Insight, Inc., is conducting this first-ever national survey regarding the use of Internet technologies in planning agencies of U.S. cities with a population of 25,000 or greater (N=1,247).

"The web has rapidly changed the world of business, but government has consistently lagged behind," says Chris Steins, Information Technology Division Chair. "In an effort to evaluate the use of Internet technology for government applications, this survey examines the adoption of Internet technologies as the vehicle for local government practice, specifically within the field of urban planning."

The emergence of Internet technology has created tremendous opportunities for improving the role of good government, specifically in the form of increased information, interaction with the public, and more cost effective and efficient means of conducting public business transactions. The study will survey and analyze the content of local planning agencies websites, and adoption of various other technologies.

Through the development of a new methodological instrument and a systematic approach to analyzing the use of technology, the research will have implications for a wide range of government activity that is conducted online.

The results are being used to "benchmark" the state of technology utilization in planning agencies in the U.S., something that has not yet been done. The information collected and the ensuing research will be invaluable in helping other practitioners and researchers gain a clearer understanding of the role and impact of the Web on planning practice. The survey will be repeated every other year.

The American Planning Association Information Technology Division connects planners who share an interest in the use of information technology (IT) to make great communities happen. The InfoTech Division develops IT sessions, workshops and special events for the annual APA National Conference. For more information, visit http://apait.cyburbia.org/.

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Press Information:
Milton Ospina, Communications Chair
Tel.: 909-793-2853, extension 1-2410
E-mail: [email protected]

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For more information contact:

Milton Ospina
ESRI
380 New York Street
Redlands
CA 92373-8100
USA

Phone: 909-793-2853, extension 1-2410
Email: [email protected]