"Bridging the gap" between professionals involved in risk prevention using GIS as a shared decision support system. A comparative study on UK and Dutch practices

Recent studies explored the suitability of using Geographical Information System to support decisional processes in the field of risk assessment & management. In particular, the elaboration of GIS ¿risk-maps¿ has been recognized as functional to two objectives: connecting decision-makers and stakeholders during decisional processes and communicating risk to non-experts audiences. In both cases, the use GIS results in increased transparency, as it gives clear ground and evidences to risk-related decisions. In order to elaborate on these findings and to verify the current use of GIS within European decisional processes, we have begun a comparative study between the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Their land-use planning practices (LUP) are explored with respect to the risk of major accident as derived from the EU Directive Seveso II. The contribution and the role of GIS within decisional processes is analysed, and recommendations for further developments are discussed