3.1. Objectives

Usually, institutions are reluctant to criticism, especially when it is going to be published. In general, it is more acceptable to compare exhibits within one institution than between different institutions. Thus, one has to be very careful, when launching exhibit assessments to the public. Institutions need to rely on their information not being used adversely to their interests. As a consequence of these problems, only a few exhibit evaluations have been published so far. They are usually found in scientific series. Also, the methods vary, so that it is hard to make comparisons regarding qualitative and quantitative results.

I chose a different approach for this project in order to have an impact on a larger scale. I decided not to make any judgements, but describe exhibits in a comparable way that would allow everybody to make his or her own judgement.

The assessments envisioned in my project, should enable zoo professionals to make reasoned design decisions and should support them in finding specialized firms, suitable building materials, plants and interpretation.

As the market for a manual on zoo design is too small for publishers, but zoo exhibits get more and more expensive, it is useful to create a new medium dedicated to zoo design. This medium should help zoo professionals with their tasks. The medium should therefore provide the following information:
 

Topics:	Details:
Exhibits that are actually planned	Client, planners, location, type and intentions of exhibit, site and project plans, dates of construction and opening
Exhibits that are already built	Client, planners, contractors, location, type and intentions of exhibit, site and project plans, pictures of exhibit (overview and details), costs, standardized descriptions of features
Addresses of specialized firms	Planners, designers, artists, contractors for construction and maintenance
References for special sources	Plants, building materials, technologies
Special events	Conferences, fairs, demonstrations
Special literature	Books, articles
Discussion forum	Special section for members

The technology best suited to provide this information is the internet. A website can link new sites with existing ones and is easy to update. Because there are many decision-makers without internet access or who are reluctant to use it, the website should be complemented by some paper publications.

In order to operate this special website economically, it should target the general audience and attract sponsors.