Improving environmental data use in spatial planning: A government view of the Dutch Digital System Omgevingswet (DSO)

By Tom Winter

Abstract
This study investigates the use of environmental data by Dutch spatial planners and permit issuers. It aimed to identify areas for improvement within the Digital System Omgevingswet (DSO). Especially the role of automation was highlighted in relation to Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) and Spatial Knowledge Infrastructure (SKIs). Through interviews with 17 participants, including DSO experts, spatial planners, and permit issuers, their needs, challenges and recommendations regarding the use of environmental data have been identified. Spatial planners face challenges with data fragmentation, compatibility, and visualization. Recommendations from spatial planners emphasize the need for improved overview maps and more data compatibility, indicating a preference for DSO functionalities geared towards SDIs instead of SKIs and automation. Permit issuers, on the other hand, mainly express division between simple and complex permit requests, with a focus on data availability pre-request and data reliability. Their recommendations focussed on streamlining permit application processes and enhancing user-friendliness aligning with the potential benefits of SKI functionalities and automation for citizens. Despite limited support for automation in decision-making, there is agreement on the value of automating simple permit applications, such as for dormer windows or shed extensions. The study highlights the importance of standardization efforts and the potential benefits of Information houses in centralizing and standardizing environmental data. However, the full potential of Information houses cannot be identified from this study, since it only focussed on the governmental perspective, while they might greatly benefit citizens and companies. Finally, future research directions include investigating specific data types required for simple permits and assessing the socio-economic benefits of automation within the DSO.