Participatory GIS A process towards enhanced equity in the

landscape and Democratizing Land-Use Planning

David E. De Vera2014

Exclusion & PlanningLand Use Planning is often an EXCLUSIVE

activity controlled and dominated by those in power and limited to a select number of actors in society

Land Use Planning processes are complex and very rigid and not accommodate a wide array of data sets and information critical to local communities.

Current Land Use processes are dependent on external experts and consultants to drive the process.

Exclusive planning processes produce Land Use Plans with hasty generalizations which are not reflective of local realities, inaccurate & misleading data and inappropriate policies where the poor are often

Reinforces the status quo where those in power are in control and have all land at their disposal and dictate its use as they see fit.

A Case for Participatory GIS

Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS)

The PGIS approach adopts a combination of geo-spatial information management tools ranging from Sketch maps, Participatory 3D Models (P3DM), Aerial photographs, Satellite imagery, Global

Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to compose and represent peoples’ spatial knowledge.

Aerial Photography Sketch Mapping Satellite Imagery GPS Mapping3D-Modelling

Participatory GISParticipatory mapping is directed at ending the exclusion

of marginalized groups in the planning dialoguemaps show local people’s experiences of their landscape Ultimately, community maps define local people’s ideas of

the landscape and its functions

PGIS & Green GrowthIt enables local people to

identify and define their interactions with the landscape from their own points of view and based on their own unique experiences

It allows local people to identify customary governance systems in place

PGIS & Green GrowthProvides the local

communities a platform for negotiations and Integrated Planning with other sectors including the Government an the private sector.

How has participatory GIS been used?

Data gathering and documentation for ancestral domain management planning

How has participatory GIS been usedSecuring tenure claims for land and

seascapes

How has participatory mapping been used?Resolving resource-use conflict and tension

among communities

How has participatory mapping been used? As a tool in identifying community

conservation, impacts of climate change and monitoring directions.

Households

Trails

Jhum fallow

Main road

Forest

Migrants

Using Maps developed by Community technicians through PGIS, Indigenous Communities have been able to negotiate with the Government for the recognition of their Indigenous Community Conservation Areas (ICCAs)ancestral domains all over the Philippines

Engaging the Mining Industry on the impacts of their operations in Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines

Using PGIS…..(cont..)

Challenges and OpportunitiesSome countries have existing

laws that actually criminalize Participatory GIS activities:Philippine Geodetic

Engineering ActLand Surveyors Ordinance

in MalaysiaBoth laws define all forms of

mapping as an “exclusive” practice limited to Mapping professionals licensed & regulated by the Government.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9200

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED EIGHTY FIVE HUNDRED

AND SIXTY (R.A. NO. 8560) OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE

GEODETIC ENGINEERING ACT OF 1998, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Challenges and OpportunitiesLogistical requirements and tools for the practice of PGIS has

become very accessible to ordinary people…..Laws can no longer regulate the practice of mapping and enable local people to

participate in Land-use Planning…..

Quantum GIS – Free Open Source Software; many other free software that can be tailor-fit for local needs

Cheap Smartphones have GPS and sell for as low as $85.00

Google Earth has opened the doors for community mappers

Lessons LearnedThe Participatory GIS

process contributes to;Community empowermentStrengthening and

development of local institutions

Developing a constituency and facilitating a consensus for local plans

Gaining an effective tool to communicate, advocate, negotiate and campaign for plans