Participatory Mapping
Participatory mapping is a map-making process that attempts to make visible the association between land and local communities by using the commonly understood and recognised language of cartography. In contrast to the common view of planners and managers responsible for a certain development process, participatory mapping provides the opportunity to represent a socially and culturally distinct understanding of landscape and include information that is excluded from mainstream maps. Therefore, it can become a medium of empowerment by allowing the local community to represent themselves spatially (Lienert, 2019).
Basic Information on the Method
Mode of communication
Face-to-face
Group size
1-5, 6-30
Geographical scale
Neighbourhood, City, Region
Skills required
Basic, Average
Resources needed
Low, Medium
Level of Involvement
Level of involvement
Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower
Type of knowledge enabled
Divergence (Small groups)
Additional Criteria
Planning phase
Initiatiion, Evaluation & Research
Methodological approach
Diagnostic, Expressive, Organisational, Political