A REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OF GIS AND SPATIAL MODELING FOR PLANNING INTHE NEW EDUCATION MARKET

The authors aim to provide a review of the potential for the applicati on of GIS and spatial-modelling techniques in the context of education al planning. It is their contention that such techniques can be partic ularly effective given the recent changes in the education-policy fram ework namely the development of a market system to replace the previou s, producer-led, planning environment. The authors argue that GIS-base d techniques can offer only a partial solution to the manifold problem s facing educationalists, and that we must look to more advanced spati al-analysis tools such as spatial-interaction modelling. The authors c onclude that a combination of these techniques offers a powerful tool for planners who are increasingly concerned with questions of the equi ty of provision.