University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The application of computer-aided expert decision support systems to developing countries: A case of rural development in Kenya

Fields, Deborah Lynn

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19731

Description

Title
The application of computer-aided expert decision support systems to developing countries: A case of rural development in Kenya
Author(s)
Fields, Deborah Lynn
Issue Date
1992
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kim, Tschangho John
Department of Study
Urban and Regional Planning
Discipline
Urban and Regional Planning
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science
  • Urban and Regional Planning
Language
eng
Abstract
  • Difficulties encountered during planning of rural development projects reduce the chances for successful implementation. Decades of experience with planning support to developing countries suggest that macro- and micro- planning alone are not enough. Managerial support and internalization of improved analytical capabilities and economic management techniques are critical to greater effectiveness in resource use and higher rewards in development efforts.
  • This dissertation provides a vision of computer-aided expert decision support systems as a vehicle for delivering information for planning rural development projects. Such a system can be built with the flexibility necessary to capture the characteristics (political and human factors, uncertainties to the decision making environment, shortages of data and skilled manpower, and communication gaps) of rural development.
  • In describing this vision, the dissertation examines a specific case in Kenya of the Rural Trade and Promotion Centers (RTPC), where infrastructure investments are expected to promote growth and development in rural towns. The dissertation describes implementation of a computer-aided expert decision support system to support planners and administrators in performing their responsibilities under the RTPC program. The computer-aided system described in the dissertation integrates an expert system with a general equilibrium social accounting matrix, a numeric index, a database system and an interactive user-interface to create a comprehensive decision aid. Specifically, the computer-aided expert decision support system provides planners and administrators with a mechanism for obtaining knowledge of the dynamic nature of rural development to use as a basis for their decisions, and in doing so, help formalize their thinking about alternative development projects.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/19731
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1992 Fields, Deborah Lynn

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Urban and Regional Planning
Dissertations in Regional Planning