The purpose of the recently completed ‘Creating Futures’ research programme was to develop tools for integrated spatial planning and decision-making. The Government-funded innovative work was led by the Waikato Regional Council in collaboration with an interdisciplinary multi-agency research team. The Waikato Regional Council is now advancing the practical application and further enhancement of these tools. In particular, the regional computer simulation model WISE is evaluated for its use in Council’s planning and decision-making processes.
The Waikato Integrated Scenario Explorer (WISE) is a dynamic, spatially-explicit computer simulation model that integrates economic, demographic, environmental (climate, hydrology, water quality, biodiversity) and land use (suitability, accessibility, local influence, zoning) information to assess the effects and trade-offs of alternative future development scenarios or the consequences of policy options. The modular platform used to build WISE is transferable to other locations or regions. Similar models are currently developed for Auckland and Wellington (www.sp2.org.nz).
A short video about the spatial planning tool WISE, the Waikato Integrated Scenario Explorer, has been released. Click here to view...
A new version of WSIE (Waikato Integrated Scenario Explorer), the spatially explicit simulation model of the Waikato Region has been released in January 2012. WISE version 1.2.0 features a number of improvements identified and prioritised by the WISE partners to enhance its performance and capability. A key new feature is the addition of a ‘Forestry Carbon Sector’ that assists the development and... >>
The Creating Futures website has recently been reviewed and redesigned to reflect the change from a research project to the use of the tools developed through the project. The new site illustrates the application and further development of the tools using examples and practical case studies. >>