Insoo Steven Chung

The potential of a Web-based Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS) for public engagement in climate change was evaluated. The City of Toronto’s “Live Green Toronto” program integrates the ArgooMap tool in the “Sustainability Map” to enable stakeholders and the general public to collaborate on adaptation and mitigation strategies. Interviews were conducted with “community animators” and program staff to identify potential benefits of spatially referenced discussion and answer questions related to envisioned map use, planned integration process, and long-term viability. The responses from the interviews were overwhelmingly positive for the tool’s utility in the Live Green Toronto program, highlighting better organization of information, resource management, and communication. However, difficulties remain in terms of adequately measuring real greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and management of map use and content. The discussions identify and analyze the functional needs of stakeholder groups, integration of the ArgooMap in the climate change strategy, perspectives on participation, and long-term viability.