Abstract

Re-engaging the Majority with Geometrics: Maps Making Democracy Easier
Track: Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater
Authors: Paul Niedzwiecki, Anne Reynolds, Phil Detjens, Erin Jackson

Decades of population growth on Cape Cod are significantly degrading our marine water quality stressing many of our bays beyond possible recovery. Cape Cod's Environment and its Economy are intricately intertwined. The cost of doing the wrong thing is only outweighed by the cost of doing nothing. The Cape Cod Commission has developed Watershed MVP (multi-variant planner). This innovative ArcGIS Server application uses geometrics combining parcel based land use, water use and build-out data in a spatial environment allowing the user to compare various wastewater treatment scenarios in a scalable format. It presents data and calculations in a fast and easy web-based experience. This is both an effective technical tool for planners and a powerful tool for citizens. It makes participation easier, democracy more convenient and re-engages "the majority," driving public discussions toward the lowest cost, most sustainable solutions to our most urgent problems.