Shared environmental management using the interactive WEBGIS tool: discussions based on the AGATA portal

Abstract

The democratization of spatial information through WebGIS has emerged as a tool for engaging local communities in urban environmental management. This article presents the development of AGATA WebGIS (Advanced Geoenvironmental Analyses in Environment and Technology), a collaborative mapping platform designed to democratize access to environmental information at the local level and promote public participation. The Cajuru neighborhood, in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, was selected as the study area for the implementation of the platform. The methodological procedures included requirements gathering, selection of technological tools (PostgreSQL for the database, Node.js for the back end, and JavaScript with the Google Maps API for the front end), the adoption of a three tier architecture, and data modeling. AGATA enables users to visualize maps, query environmental aspects, and add, edit, and remove data. The platform was compared with six other WebGIS platforms through a qualitative assessment conducted by the developers and stood out for its accessibility to nontechnical users. AGATA was implemented in the Cajuru neighborhood, with 23 registered users, all local residents, and 18 environmental aspects recorded. Although validation through usability testing with the target audience is still required, the interface is considered intuitive and is expected to facilitate community participation in the identification of environmental problems. AGATA represents a promising tool for local environmental management, enabling active community participation and contributing to the resolution of socioenvironmental issues. Expanding AGATA to other neighborhoods and municipalities is considered essential to support the development of a more comprehensive and inclusive platform.