Participatory Mapping in a Developing Country Context: Lessons from South Africa

Abstract

Digital participatory mapping improves accessibility to spatial information and the way in which knowledge is co-constructed and landscapes co-managed with impoverished communities. However, many unintended consequences for social and epistemic justice may be exacerbated in developing country contexts. Two South African case studies incorporating Direct-to-Digital participatory mapping in marginalized communities to inform land-use decision-making, and the ethical challenges of adopting this method are discussed. Understanding the past and present context of the site and the power dynamics at play is critical to develop trust and manage expectations among research participants. When employing unfamiliar technology, disparate literacy levels and language barriers create challenges for ensuring participants understand the risks of their involvement and recognize their rights. The logistics of using this approach in remote areas with poor infrastructure and deciding how best to leave the participants with the maps they have co-produced in an accessible format present further challenges. Overcoming these can however offer opportunity for redressing past injustices and empowering marginalized communities with a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.

Gamification for social perception: introducing scientific literacy to dabblers in citizen science

“…The quick pacing of the game allowed for very few discussions or disagreements during the activity. Participants emitted their opinion without restrictions and developed a sense of equality, addressing possible hidden social dynamics inside the community that could reduce the freedom of some participants to speak their minds [Weyer, Bezerra and De Vos, 2019]. As the game progressed, participants felt more comfortable voicing their opinions, giving way to short but insightful opinions.…”

A Relational Approach to Landscape Stewardship: Towards a New Perspective for Multi-Actor Collaboration

“…In a second example, researchers have employed participatory mapping processes to collect and collate knowledge from the local catchment residents about their restoration priorities to guide planning and research by getting a better understanding of the local context [69]. This has not been without its challenges: disparate literacy levels, and language and cultural barriers created difficulties for ensuring participants understood the risks of their involvement, recognised their rights (particularly important in the context of historic land rights concerns in South Africa), and felt empowered by the process [69]. In these two examples, relational expertise is emerging as actors recognise the value of other actors' perspective, knowledge and skills for expanding their understanding of the problem.…”

“…Over time, the TP has been bringing the various actors into shared spaces to develop a common vision and align activities to avoid further tension and duplication, and to share resources and knowledge. Integrated planning meetings and participatory mapping activities with local residents and Traditional Leaders [69] have been a key focus of this work.…”

Volunteer geographic information in the Global South: barriers to local implementation of mapping projects across Africa

“…This allowed survivors of the earthquake to text for help, and for emergency response units to quickly and efficiently locate and respond to incidents. These platforms, and others, have also been used to respond to a range of natural and humanitarian crises, including earthquakes, election tampering, refugee crises, the spread of epidemics, and more (Weyer et al 2019;Zambrano 2014). Even within this relatively well-developed area of research, though, many gaps remain.…”