ILUDSS - A KNOWLEDGE-BASED SPATIAL DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR STRATEGIC LAND-USE PLANNING

This paper discusses the design and implementation of the Islay Land U se Decision Support System (ILUDSS), a knowledge-based spatial decisio n support system for strategic land-use planning in a rural area. ILUD SS is designed to support planners in assessing land-use potential for different types of land-use for the development of the island of Isla y, off the west coast of Scotland. The system adopts knowledge-based t echniques in its design, and incorporates analytical, rule-based and s patial modelling capabilities. The main functions of ILUDSS include qu ery, formulation of land-use models for assessing land-use potential, and evaluation of the land-use models through automated integration of the database, the rule bases, and different types of models. ILUDSS c an evaluate land-use potential according to planners' preferences and assessments relating to the various criteria and related evaluation fa ctors, such as physical suitability, proximity to desirable and undesi rable land features, and the required minimum area of each land parcel .