Spatial Decision Support System
Decision Support System (DSS) from which SDSS was developed, emerged as a computer based system that assists decision makers in semi-structured tasks, supports rather than replaces judgment and improves the effectiveness of decision makers rather than its efficiency (Morton, 1978). However the need to handle spatial decisions led to the development of SDSS as a system capable of integrating spatial (geographical) information with computer based spatial analysis module, map analysis and display modules for tackling complex and illdefined, spatial decision problem, (Densham and Goodchild 1989).
SDSS is therefore “an interactive computer-based system designed to support a user or group of users in achieving a higher effectiveness of decision making while solving a semi-structured spatial decision problem”(Malezewski, 1997). It is also a system that provides a framework for integrating analytical modeling capabilities, database management systems, graphical display capabilities, tabular reporting capabilities as well as decision makers’ expert knowledge (Klinber, 1997).