Evaluación del desempeño

The rapid growth in the utilisation of technology in the planning process within the last 10 years represents a technical revolution in computer visualisation as a whole. Computer visualisation studies in planning have advanced from debating whether to employ new digital technology in order to assist the planning process. However, what remains largely unexplored is the question of what are the main factors affecting their usage and how their usage affects planning decisions. This study has synthesised previous work on

technological studies and literature in computer visualisation. It can therefore not only describe modern media of planning but also provide a prescription for the implementation of the technology. Thus it is hoped that this study will advance our understanding of the theoretical issues of modern computer technology within planning practice.

Literature (Sheppard, 2001 & 2004 and Gerring, 2007) on computer visualisation, as a foundation of the analytical framework developed for the case studies and interviews, has provided a primarily abstract conception of the planning implication – role in planning, credibility, level of realism, and production cost – suggested by this study. Except for some, which focus on GISs, few studies on the empirical implication of photomontages and 3D visualisation and observed by practitioner’s point of view. Furthermore, few studies have explicitly claimed and identified any intertwining relationships and interplay between technical aspects in relation to the UK planning process.

Equally, through the use of case study analysis this research has identified the main factors that underlie the utilisation of computer visualisation. The identification of such underlying factors has furthered our understanding of the major ingredients of planning utilisation. The semi-structured interview analysis results links the major factors of perception from practitioners of the technology to planning process should also help to direct researchers’ and public policy-makers’ attention towards how the technology needs to be implemented in an appropriate manner, credible enough and production protocols and guidelines requires to be provided.

Finally, few, if any, studies of computer visualisation in planning have attempted to systematically link photomontages and alternative 3D visualisations to the planning implementation process. One reason for the lack of such research may be that an

appropriate methodology that captures the multi-dimensional views of practitioners is not readily available. This study, through the application of planning context in the UK, has

attempted to offer an approach, which establishes the interrelationships between planning policy and the utilisation of computer visualisation.

This research might provide a starting point for combining modern technology and planning practice through the use of the concept of the computer visualisation. This will allow other researchers to build on the concepts and technical aspects designed in this model and possibly create a more comprehensive model of the use of various media in planning.

While much of the present debate and literature on both the types of technologies and credibility of computer visualisation has in general revolved around normative bases, this research is an important step in focusing on how and why computer visualisation imposed from above results in different planning applications at the local level. It is expected that the realisation that extensive employment of the technology has been implemented differently because the scale and nature of planning applications have functioned differently will help the theorist develop more informed theories concerning both the implementation and the credibility of the computer visualisation.

In the UK, computer visualisation has been utilised in many ways and its level of use is constantly increasing. Regardless of whether it is photomontage, animation, real time rendering or panoramic Virtual Reality, this research analysed in a technical point of view a number of considerations and methodologies in order to establish credibility for planning use.

First, to implement successfully a technology, policymakers, in establishing scope of planning requirements and interacting with local planning authorities should focus their attention on the technology’s pros and cons and cost, which this research has identified in general, and the dimensions’ sub-issues in particular. In practical terms, this research should allow academics, planners, and private consultants to understand why the

technology has been utilised in different planning stages and possibly to take a close look at the roles in planning.

Secondly, production costs should decrease as technology develops. As more technological benefits (software and hardware) become available, it is important for whole planning industry to monitor the process of implementation in order to keep the credibility of computer visualisation in place.

Thirdly, the principle information and guidelines should be adequate for deterring local planning authorities and developers from their potential tendency to manipulate and exploit in which might cause serious and unresolvable problems for planning decision making processes. Policymakers in central government should pay more attention to, and spend more resources on, designing and implementing information and guidelines. Specifically, professional bodies and institutes must maintain the capability to effectively advise local/central governments in whatever way necessary and must show a determination to enforce penalising actions when predetermined conditions occur.

At the same time, central government should also alleviate the potential for the

inappropriate use of visualisation, either through changes to the planning submissions or through the introduction of credible guideline mechanisms. Unless there is a fair

assessment methodology and reasonable framework for the interested parties in the planning process, the process is likely to become a cat-and-mouse game, resulting in

endless efforts to use, shift or manipulate the technology to the party’s own end in addition, local governments, when renewing scoping in planning submission, must take their

awareness of technology into consideration in determining planning assessment and decisions.

Finally, the data contained in this study is qualitative. It provides the reader with ‘behind the scenes’ explanations of why and how stakeholders in planning process have different levels of interest. The advantage of this approach is that it reveals qualitative aspects of planning process, allowing the reader to become much better informed than if he or she had relied exclusively on qualitative data.