The assessment of participatory mapping methods based on the expert system

Jiří PánekDepartment of Development Studies

Palacky University in Olomouc

Overview

• Introduction• Why is participation important• Participatory methods used (for mapping

and visualization) • Expert system (preliminary survey results)• Conclusion• One more slide

Introduction

• Participatory mapping as an independent approach historically comes mainly from Participatory Rural Appraisal (Chambers 2006).

• Creating their own community maps has an empowering effect on the participating members of the community (Vlok & Panek 2012).

Why is participation important?

• In the Local Agenda 21 (UN Earth Summit) community-based mapping was identified as a best practice for locally-based sustainability planning (IDRC, 1996).

• The sense of ownership sparks empowerment and actuates the momentum for sustainable development — driven and run by the community as it comes from within the community (Vlok & Panek 2012).

Participatory methods used in research

• 10 methods, mainly from Training Kit on participatory spatial information management and communication developed by EU-ACP Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation

Image by Mount Kenya Environment Protection Project

Images courtesy of Peter Poole ©/LEO

Image courtesy of Giacomo Rambaldi©/CTA

Image courtesy of A. Murphy, Global Diversity Foundation.

Image courtesy of Rachel Olsen

Expert system and survey results

• Who are the “experts”?• Male/Female = 64/36 (167 in total)• Average age = 38• Participants structure:

– LinkedIn, PPGIS, ResearchGate, Facebook– UNISA, ICC2013, students

Who were the experts?

• Dr. Stefano Marras – Map Kibera Project• Dr. Peter Kyem – Central Connecticut State

University• Prof. Nancy Obermayer – National Center for

Geographic Information and Analysis• Prof. Sarah Elwood – University of Washington• Prof. Jon Corbett – Centre for Social, Spatial and

Economic Justice, University of British Columbia

Preliminary survey results

Conclusions

• “Time available and needed for the mapping activity”, “Facilitator’s geo-skills and experience” and “Reason of the mapping activity” are the most important factors.

• On the other hand “Internet connection available”, “Colonial history of the community” and “Electrical equipment (PC, laptop) available” are among the least important factors.

Conclusion

• The results from the survey will be used in order to create a tool for selecting the most optimal participatory mapping method for specific community settings.

One more slide

• Please take part in the survey!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InDOG

Thank you for your attention!

Jiří PánekDepartment of Development Studies

Palacky University in Olomouc