Interactive maps in EIA portals
A graphical overview of current EIA procedures in the form of a map function on the portal is very helpful for the public. This makes it easy for citizens to find out whether there are procedures in their home region or a specific location of interest. It also makes it clear to users how many EIA procedures are being carried out at the same time and the complexity of planning procedures and public participation is made more accessible to citizens through a graphical representation. In the best case, users are redirected to the EIA procedure with the participation deadlines and documents via a link in the map. In some of the countries we analysed, there is already a map function in the EIA portal.
Good practice examples
Slovenia
Slovenia does not have a standardised EIA portal, but there are three online portals that have the functions of EIA portals. One of these is the Spatial Information System (Prostorski informacijski sistem). The spatial information system provides a graphical representation of all ongoing EIA procedures in Slovenia. Each procedure on the map has a link with the administrative number of the specific procedure and the competent institution carrying it out.
Source: Screenshot of the Slovenian spatial information system. General overview of the building permit.
Germany
In Germany, both the EIA portal for the federal level and the individual state portals contain maps that allow users to search for EIA procedures in specific regions. The EIA procedures are also directly linked here, so that users are forwarded directly to the page of the EIA procedure.
Source: EIA portal of the federal states.
Source: EIA portal of the federal states.
Ireland
A clear map can also be found on Ireland’s EIA portal. Here, the EIA procedures are marked in different colours depending on the competent authority (see legend). By clicking on the coloured boxes, further information on the EIA procedure appears. However, in the case of Ireland, only limited information on the procedure is available online and in many cases there are no links to the website of the competent authority with further information.
Source: EIA Portal Ireland
Source: EIA Portal Ireland
Source: EIA Portal Ireland
Austria
A good graphical representation of all EIA procedures in Austria can be found on EIAmaps, which is operated by the Austrian Federal Environment Agency. Here you can filter by project type (energy, infrastructure, leisure, agriculture, industry and other). The respective project types are displayed with appropriate symbols and can be filtered again within the project type (e.g. in the energy sector there is a subdivision into wind and hydroelectric power plants, power lines, etc.). This makes it very clear for users and enables a quick search for specific project types. It is also possible to filter by federal state and time period (1995-2023).
Source: EIAmaps from Austria.
Source: EIAmaps from Austria. Filtered by EIA projects in the energy sector.
Source: UVPmaps from Austria. Filter options.
