An Argument for Action Research-Inspired Participatory Mapping

Abstract

After decades of both enthusiasm and criticism over participatory mapping in planning, some scholars are accusing it of being an empty ritual, unable to deal with substantial issues or being servile in the face of power. This article presents a participatory mapping and planning experience carried out by an action-research partnership in the Simeto valley (Italy). It claims that reframing participatory mapping through action research means both dealing directly with power and addressing substantial issues. Action research-based mapping’s effectiveness is related less to mappers’ ability to map spatial changes and more to the impact that mapping has on the mappers themselves.

Community-Based Processes for Revitalizing Heritage: Questioning Justice in the Experimental Practice of Ecomuseums

“…This is also producing many benefits in terms of economic regeneration, thanks to the EU and National programs that are in the process of being implemented in the area. In terms of "community participation", the Community Mapping process [15,70,71]-that many ecomuseums have in common [51,52]-is a means for allowing public participation in a democratic manner. In terms of "local organization operation", the existence of initiatives such as the Biodistrict and the project "new value chain" would encourage the collaboration between experts and citizens in enhancing the local economy.…”

“…The methodological approach is as a hybrid between action research [13][14][15] and case study method [10][11][12]. The practical engagement in an ongoing action research process in the Simeto River area (Sicily, Italy) required the exploration of some case studies, intended as examples that were used to foster that process.…”

“…The mobilization was successful, so the plan was withdrawn but the local community decided not to stop after the protests: the associations kept organizing and asked some researchers from the University of Catania to start a partnership aimed at creating forms for local development inspired by an ethos of social-ecological justice, as an alternative to the model of development that the mega-incinerators represented. The partnership conducted a first community mapping experiment in order to focus not only on issues, but mostly on shared values, memories, identities and visions, in order to draft a first bottom-up strategic plan [15,70,71]. Then, various steps followed.…”

“…With this premises, the paper presents and discusses some key examples of ecomuseums in Sicily, with a focus on an ongoing process in the Simeto Area. The methodological approach combines case-study [10][11][12] and action research [13][14][15]. The author discusses what a community-based character for heritage's enhancement is, and why talking of justice matters in this However, what does a community-based approach actually mean?…”

Perceptions of Occupational Heat, Sun Exposure, and Health Risk Prevention: A Qualitative Study of Forestry Workers in South Africa

“…Each focus group session began with a mapping exercise to assess heat, sun, and herbicide exposures at work, producing eight maps in total (two examples in Figure 3). As a participatory research method, mapping facilitates a process of drawing out the expertise and knowledge of the participants, and it has also been used for planning, education, and participant empowerment [49,50]. Regarded as a useful health and safety investigative and assessment tool, mapping can provide vital evidence to support suggestions for improvement through characterizing participant-identified risks.…”