1. USING THE GEOWEB TO ENGAGE RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ECONOMIC AND
ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING
Peter A. Johnson
Department of Geography
McGill University
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
peter.johnson2@mail.mcgill.ca
Abstract
The ways in which we use the Internet have changed dramatically in recent years. Once
characterized by a one-way flow of information from authoritative sources, the Internet now
facilitates the bi-directional sharing of information and content via geospatially-enabled Web 2.0
sites (the Geoweb). There is significant potential for the Internet to be used in this way to
provide a conduit between citizen and government, enabling better communication and
participation in decision-making. This paper presents the development of three Geoweb tools to
support rural development in Acton, Quebec. These tools are described and their use evaluated
in terms of how they can support participation, and strengths and weaknesses of their
application in a rural context.