The Contradiction and Limitation of PPGIS as a Mediation of Public Sphere–A Case Study in Rural Taiwan

• Main Authors: Ker-Hsuan Chien, 錢克瑄
• Other Authors: Chih-Hong Sun
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/31431582107309852696

碩士 === 臺灣大學 === 地理環境資源學研究所 === 98 === Public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS) was proposed to improve a more democratic GIS and empower the local community. However, the concept of the “public” in PPGIS is still remaining ambiguous and should be discussed systematically. For this consideration, the purpose of this paper aims to examine the concept of ‘public’ that embedded in the basic theoretical foundation of PPGIS and discuss the role of PPGIS in public sphere. This research reveals the vague implication of public concept inherent in PPGIS by an empirical case study observation. Two parts construct this paper: first, we review the theories of public sphere and rebuild the theoretical foundation of PPGIS. Our main argument is that PPGIS should be defined as a mediation which bridge local issues into the mainstream discussion. Second, we performed a case study to apply PPGIS for an anti-pollution movement in Gouzao neighborhood, a small town in rural Taiwan. According to the result, we characterized the role of PPGIS and evaluated them as the proof of our arguments. In conclusion, this study showed that PPGIS is not only inherited the critics toward the public sphere theories, but also conveyed merely a fraction of public sphere. In addition, whenever experts operate PPGIS in fields, they should be aware of the limited conditions of PPGIS and the actual role that PPGIS plays in public sphere.