Neelameghan, A. (Prof.)Assefa, Temtim2022-06-162023-11-182022-06-162023-11-181993-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/32032Planning in general and urban-regional plan preparation in particular is now becoming increasingly an information intensive activity so much so that the success of the planning exercise depends on the availability of adequate, timely and reliable information. In Third World countries including Ethiopia, information intensive activities like planning are very much affected by poor information support services. It is in this context that this study deals with the design of an information support system that can provide information tailored to the needs of NUPI's planners, researchers and other professional staff involved in the preparation of urban-regional plans. The study employed a structured method of system analysis and design technique. The required data to design the system were collected by questionnaire survey, interviews and observations. The design of the system was preceded by analysis of the existing system problems and suggestions for preliminary problem solutions. The study reveals that the existing system does not have a well-established data processing procedure resulting, at times, in the underutilization and improper use of information collected at high cost.The users' information requirements were identified as the prime basis for the design of the new system. The information required by NUPI is very diversified including economic, population, services, natural resources, crop production, land use, etc. It covers almost all human experience, generally. In order to satisfy users' information requirement, the system functions such as sample data processing and map preparation that are applied to process the raw data into usable forms are described and documented with the help of data flow diagrams and a set of algorithm descriptions, referred to as logical system design. Basing on the logical system, the design of the physical system was developed for implementation which includes generation and selection of system al ternati ves, and design of prototype output, input data elements, and database. In general terms, the system design proposed in this study can help in partly alleviating the existing problems. The study recommends other system design projects to bring about complete solutions to the prevailing problems.enInformation Support SystemThesis