What is Database Management

This chapter discusses the security risks and management implications for the use of information technology to manage urban and regional planning and development processes. The advancement in GIS technology and planning support systems has provided the opportunity for planning agencies to adopt innovative processes to aid and improve decision-making. Although studies show that a number of impediments to the widespread adoption these technologies exist, emerging trends point to opportunities for the integration of planning supporting systems with various models to help estimate urban growth, environmental, economic and social impact, as well as to facilitate participatory planning. At the same time, information security infrastructure and security preparedness of most public agencies lag behind vulnerabilities. Drawing on the literature on planning, e-planning and information security, the author argues that the emergence of e-planning as an efficient approach to urban planning and development also poses enormous security challenges that need to be managed to ensure integrity, confidentiality and availability of critical planning information for decision-making.