Toward clarification of meanings via ontological analysis method in environmental planning processes and actions

This work shows a research approach aiming at enhancing standard methodologies oriented to interpret places, by using information coming from new forms of place interpretation and description. This proposal is developed by investigating on geographical places as complex spatial environments well suited for the exploitation of different paradigms. The approach is based on ontological analysis. It can be useful to integrate a cognitive stand within the traditional analytical and organizational views of complex spatial environments, in particular aiming to facilitate decision-making processes. In this context, the argument of the paper has a twofold implication. Certainly, the introduction of ontological layers is rather useful for organizing the modeling of complex systems. Yet, while these layers are informative, our understanding of space cannot be reduced to the ontological elements per se, as they may lack a contextual perspective. Deeper studies and research are then needed to develop formal frameworks that effectively integrate standard and ontological methodologies for general modeling purposes in environmental planning.