Support the spread of “good practice” in generating, managing, analysing and communicating spatial information Social, Economic, Cultural and Institutional Factors at Local and Community Levels By: Michael McCall and Janik Granados Unit: M05U03

Content Introduction Local spatial knowledge Community resources Governance Technical and financial factors Cultural and social factors Land rights and entitlements Gendered and children’s maps Countering negative factors

Introduction Local factors and situations may affect participatory mapping. The factors may be enabling or disabling. This Unit categorises the types of enabling and disabling factors, explores their relative significance and examines the feasibility of tackling disabling factors.

Local spatial knowledge A central component in community-based mapping is local spatial knowledge (LSK). LSK is a vital resource. A basic principle of PGIS is that it values LSK as valid, reliable, accurate and complementary to scientific knowledge.

Local spatial knowledge LSK is local – there is a close and long relationship between people and land resources. LSK is owned by the local community. Classification in LSK is more based on functionality and purpose than on “scientific” knowledge. LSK is holistic and combinational nature.

Local spatial knowledge Specific local spatial “technical” knowledge is similar to ordinary “scientific” knowledge. Local knowledge representing viewpoints of local actors is different from the dominant “official” view. Spiritual or mystical spatial knowledge is more restricted to particular people.

Local spatial knowledge LSK is unevenly distributed and transmitted. LSK changes because of changes in climate, ecosystems, etc. LSK may go unrecorded. LSK may be privileged and controlled within rural societies.

Community resources Internal structures, resources and strengths of communities vary enormously. The following questions can be used to assess efficiency and effectiveness of people and institutions in a community.

Community resources Is the community a learning organisation? Does the community have a common purpose and cohesion? What are the policies and practices towards including the peripheral members? What evidence is there of transparency and trust? What are the capabilities of key individuals?

Governance Governance concepts are relevant in assessing the potential of communities –accountability of the governing to the governed –legitimacy of the governing over the governed –competence of the governing

Technical and financial factors Does the community have the ability to manage and maintain a GIS? Manageability has a number of factors: –feasibility –user-friendliness –cost effectiveness –need to regularly update data –inclusiveness

Cultural and social factors Cultural and social factors disable or enable community processes. Who: –determines the purpose of mapping? –decides on priorities? –selects the information to be included? –works on the mapping process? –represents the community? –is involved in using the maps?

Land rights and entitlements Ownership means a variety of conditions: statutory ownership, usufructure, shared use, common property, spiritual links. Participatory mapping is intimately bound with the official (legal) and unofficial (social-cultural) positions on rights and entitlements to land and resources.

Land rights and entitlements Legal-legislative position of the people who are engaged in PGIS practice, especially: –national and international status of indigenous peoples; –national position of women and children.

Gendered and children’s maps Women’s access to participatory spatial planning is important in PGIS practice. Women have specialised local technical and management knowledge. There are many positive experiences from training children to work with participatory mapping.

Countering negative factors Opportunities to overcome disabling factors: –Identify the influential members of the community. –Explore and give value to the extraordinary strengths and functionalities of PGIS.

Countering negative factors Why is PGIS special? PGIS: –elicits, represents and validates LSK; –integrates LSK with external knowledge; –provides information with spatial specificity; –works with visual images - “spatial narratives”; –involves multiple sources and processes; –is capacity-enhancing; –legitimises endogenous knowledge.