Environmental Information Systems and the Concept of Environmental Informatics

Abstract

Environmental Information Systems are the core of contemporary urban environment management systems, and a prerequisite for the proper, timely information of the public. Technological advances require systems that can make optimum use of informatics and telecommunications infrastructures to address environmental management needs, yet which are open, flexible, modular and inexpensive to implement and operate. For this reason, the use of Open Source software resources is presented as an appealing solution. On this basis, a number of existing environmental information components for wireless and Web-based applications are presented. Overall, the right of access to information related to the quality of the environment citizens live in via personalized electronic information services, appears to suit well the concept of open source, and may lead to a better quality of life and more effective citizen involvement and participation in environmental decision-making.