How participatory mapping can drive community empowerment – a case study of Koffiekraal, South Africa

Abstract

Maps were historically used to govern cities, states and nations, to support colonial and army operations and to maintain the superior position of those with power. Participatory mapping and community empowerment are new trends in the development discourse that allow local communities to become part of the power structures and influence what is mapped and what is on the map.

Abstract

Open-source and collaborative mapping projects such as OpenStreetMap (OSM) are designed to support community empowerment and to ensure that high-quality bias-free data are available to everyone regardless of their origin, social status and position within the power structure. In this paper, I will describe the main advantages and disadvantages of the OSM and Google Map Maker for participatory mapping. Second, I will use the example of Koffiekraal village in the North-West province, South Africa, to analyse coverage and data quality of two different data sets. Third, I will discuss a possible community project based on the spatial information gathered through the process of participatory mapping organized in Koffiekraal in the previous projects.

Keywords::

• participatory GIS
• OpenStreetMap
• Google Map Maker
• local spatial knowledge
• rural development

Notes

^1. Current version is Google Maps JavaScript API v3.