Support the spread of “good practice” in generating, managing, analysing and communicating spatial information

Selecting a Mapping Method to Suit a Given Purpose

By: Jon Corbett, Kasondra White and Giacomo Rambaldi

Unit: M06U02

Introduction

• The choice of mapping methods is influenced by a number of factors.

• Mapping methods can be assessed against each factor using a series of criteria.

• Certain methods are more appropriate than others in some settings.

• The following presentation includes a description of participatory mapping methods.

Ground mapping

• Maps drawn on ground from memory

• Materials include anything available (such as plants, rocks, sticks, etc.)

• Easy to facilitate and low cost

• End product is impermanent

Image by Mount Kenya Environment Protection Project

Ground mapping: purpose

• Acquainting community members with maps

• Internal consumption

• Planning tool

• Raising awareness within community

Ground mapping: resources

• Low cost

• Specialised skills not needed

• No training required

• Does not require much time

• Supplies include sticks, stones, etc.

Ground mapping: setting

• Good where base maps are unavailable

• Appropriate where widespread distribution is not desired

Sketch mapping

• Freehand drawings

• Drawn from memory

• Includes key community-identified features

• Does not rely on exact measurements

• Not highly accurate

Sketch mapping in Malinau, Indonesia. Image by Jon Corbett.

Sketch mapping: purpose

• Good for informing internal discussions

• Provides a broad picture of issues and events

• Internal consumption

• Starting point for other maps

• Builds community cohesion

Sketch mapping: resources

• Low cost

• Technical skills are not required

• Does not require much time

• Supplies needed include:–large sheet of paper–pencils and possibly coloured pencils

Sketch mapping: setting

• Good where base maps are unavailable

• Allows for community control over map if apprehensive about widespread distribution

Transect mapping

• Spatial cross section of a community

• Includes:–geographic features–land-use types–vegetation zones

• Useful for analysing patterns of land use

• Only provides a limited perspective

Transect mapping: purpose

• Good for informing internal discussions

• Helpful for analysing land-use patterns

• Could be combined with 2D maps

• Primarily for internal consumption

• Useful as a starting point for other maps

Transect mapping: resources

• Low cost

• Easily facilitated

• No special skills are required

• Training requirements are limited

Transect mapping: setting

• Good where base maps are unavailable

• Suitable when apprehensive about widespread distribution

• Provides good perspective for low to high elevation transects

Scale mapping

• Presents accurate, geo-referenced data

• Distance measured on the map represents an equivalent distance on the ground

• Also referred to as base maps

• Community members may wish to:–draw information on existing scale maps–make scale maps using survey techniques

Drawing information on existing scale maps

• Local knowledge gathered through conversations can be recorded on maps

• Position of features determined by looking at natural landmarks

• Information can be incorporated into other tools

• Access to scale maps may be difficult in some countries

Images courtesy of Peter Poole ©/LEO

Making scale maps using survey techniques

• Scale maps can be made using equipment such as compasses and GPS devices

• Finished maps can be used to communicate local knowledge

• Should be viewed as a last resort – very expensive and time consuming

Drawing on scale maps: purpose

• Communicating information to decision makers

• Transposing GPS data

• Appropriate for determining quantitative information

• Good as a tool to advocate for change

• Enhancing community cohesion

Making scale maps: purpose

• May be a requirement of funders if scale maps do not already exist

• Appropriate when accurate and precise geographic data are required

• Useful when wishing to incorporate data into other mapping tools

Making scale maps: resources

• Expensive

• Time consuming

• Substantial requirements for equipment and time

• Technical expertise required (or a significant amount of time for training)

Making scale maps: setting

• Necessary when scale maps do not already exist

• Most appropriate where land information is not controversial

• Best when recording this information would not be dangerous

Participatory 3D modelling (P3DM)

• Scale relief models created based on topographic map

• Models made with cardboard and finished with wire, plaster and paint

• Geographic features depicted with pushpins

• Can be time consuming and transport can be difficult

Image courtesy of Giacomo Rambaldi©/CTA

Participatory 3D modelling: purpose

• Informs internal discussions

• Can be presented in a museum

• Useful model that includes topographic information

• Enhancing community cohesion

• Land-use planning

Participatory 3D modelling: resources

• Relatively inexpensive

• Template of a topographic map is required

• Little to no technical skills required

• Some time will be required for creating the map and training

Participatory 3D modelling: setting

• Useful for internal community consumption

• Could be more culturally appropriate

• Well-suited to topographically diverse settings

GPS mapping

• A satellite-based positioning system

• Captures locations using coordinate systems (such as latitude and longitude)

• Although more affordable, may still be too expensive for some communities

• Computer will be required for storing and viewing points

Image courtesy of A. Murphy, Global Diversity Foundation.

GPS mapping: purpose

• Used to store points and locate these on a map

• Surveying large areas accurately

• Adds accurate locational information

• Widely accepted format

• Appropriate for external agencies

GPS mapping: resources

• High cost (especially when computers are considered)

• Relatively time consuming

• Training is required

• Supplies needed include: –GPS device–computer–GIS software package, most likely

Aerial and remote-sensing images

• Gathering images from the Earth’s surface using cameras on airplanes and satellites

• Features such as scale, orientation, coordinate systems and contour lines are shown

• Mylar transparencies can be overlaid for recording information

• Becoming easier to access

Image courtesy of Peter Poole©/LEO

Aerial images and remote sensing: purpose

• Good format for external audiences

• Excellent base map

• Useful in a wide array of situations

• Land-use planning

• Tool to advocate for change

Aerial images and remote sensing: resources

• Low cost if they already exist and are freely available

• Computer may be required if working with digital versions

• Little training required

Aerial images and remote sensing: setting

• Must already exist for an area

• Could be inappropriate if they reveal areas that community members wish to keep private

• Viewing large areas and patterns of resource use

Multimedia mapping: purpose

• Closer to traditional oral systems of knowledge transfer

• For external and internal consumption

• Enhancing community cohesion

• Teaching new and useful skills

Multimedia mapping: resources

• Can be expensive

• Could require a larger amount of training

• Supplies that may be desired include:–a computer–digital or film cameras–video cameras–audio recording devices

Multimedia mapping: setting

• Accessible regardless of language or literacy

• Identities may not be protected

• May not be available to all sectors of society

Geographic information systems (GIS)

• Computer-based systems that capture, manage, analyse and present spatial information

• GIS technicians work with communities

• Steep learning curve and relatively expensive

Image courtesy of Rachel Olsen

GIS: purpose

• Storing, retrieving, analysing and presenting local knowledge

• Supports discussion and decision-making process

• Appropriate for external audiences

• Useful for land-use planning

GIS: resources

• Expensive

• Time consuming

• A great deal of training will be required

• Technical expertise required

• Supplies required include:–a computer–GIS software package

GIS: setting

• Useful when fostering relationships between governments and decision makers

• Illustrating large scale patterns of land use

Internet-based mapping

• Uses web applications such as Google Maps and Google Earth

• Links to multimedia information

• Uses video, digital photos and text

• Information stored on computers

• Can reach a very wide audience

• Closer to traditional oral systems of knowledge transfer

Source: Google Maps - www.p3dm.org

Internet-based mapping: purpose

• Visualising and delivering rich multimedia community knowledge

• External and internal consumption

• Dispersed communities

• Bringing new skills to communities

Internet-based mapping: resources

• Expensive• Some requirements may not be available • Considerable training time• Supplies required include:

–a computer with an Internet connection (preferably high speed)

–digital camera(s)–video equipment–audio recording devices

Internet-based mapping: setting

• Appropriate for sharing knowledge widely

• May not be suitable for private information

• Bringing together dispersed groups

Choosing a method

• Community members have the final say

• Map makers should consider four factors:– the purpose of the PGIS activity;– the resources that are available;– the expected outcome;– the institutional setting or environment.

Choosing a method

Choosing a method

Choosing a method

Choosing a method