Does visualisation of digital landscapes serve itself : how topographic, planning, environmental and other thematic information is integrated and disseminated via web GIS

Abstract

Digital landscapes provide decision makers with readily-available tools that enhance the policy-to-decision process. Malta has been witness to various processes to create digital landscapes for both the professional and the general public. This study reviews the operational and technological processes employed since the introduction of GIS in Malta and reviews the issue of 3D GIS and whether visualisation served its purpose in reaching the current state of affairs. A case-study on one particular research is reviewed which investigates whether users look at visualisation outputs as part of a larger environment or as an end in themselves.