Understanding Urban Planner’s Perception of the Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology in Urban Planning

Abstract

This research paper focuses on urban planners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of information and communication technology in urban planning. The past few decades have witnessed a significant increase in the use of information and communication tools in our daily lives. The questionnaire survey (Google Form) was sent to planners over the course of three months, from June to August, and was retrieved for analysis. Of the 87 questionnaires sent out, 45 responses were retrieved from professional town planners. Questions pertaining to the positive and negative effects of ICT on Urban Planning, the level of acceptance of ICT among planners, and planners’ beliefs about the benefits of ICT to Spatial planning were asked. The results show that urban planners agree with ICT’s positive and negative effects of ICT on spatial planning. findings show that 76.08 % and 21.73% of respondents both strongly agree and agree that ICT helped to improve data collection and analysis of planning information. Similar results also exist for the other positive effects of ICT, such as increased efficiency (52.17%), enhanced accessibility to resident information (54.34 % and 23.91), increased sustainability (41.3% and 30.43%), and elimination of the need for distance (58.69% and 30.43%).There is a general perception that ICT can change how people move through urban areas, interact with public spaces, and create opportunities and challenges for urban design. The integration of new technologies into spatial planning is inevitable, and will undeniably impact spatial development. Therefore, urban planners must recognize and incorporate the effects of ICTs into their planning processes to be more effective. The influence of ICTs on cities, regions, spatial development, and urban planning is a crucial area of discussion and exploration for professionals in the field.