Abstract Spatial planning is no longer static. While the range of involved actors become wider and wider and individual actors get dominant roles, planners became more and more solution finders in a collaborative environment rather than plan makers. This collaboration is based on major and complex information flow process. This complication emerges from the huge amounts of information which are circulated among different actors. In addition, these information are fragmented and changing in nature. In such circumstances, getting an overview to major issues and main problems on a region becomes a difficult task for planners. Furthermore, available planning instruments and operative measures do not facilitate establishing such an overview. To work out these facts for decision makers of different disciplines is a key qualification for planners. This paper aims at laying out a methodology for establishing Internet-based collaborative spatial overviews using the Upper Rhine valley as a case study. Contents This discussion is organized around three main questions. Each emphasizes one of the following aspects: Conceptually, what are the main characteristics, components and functions of an Internet based overview? Technically, what kind of Internet based instruments could be developed to facilitate establishing this overview? Operatively, how to implement these instruments in planning processes? The demonstration of the proposed methodology will be introduced on a case study for the Upper Rhine Valley.