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Tool 1: Interactive mapping step-by-step The tool consists of five basic steps (see Figure 5). First, identify and train a core team of mapmakers and select an appropriate mapping technology. Second, prepare a geo-political base map, for example with the locations of all the communities, roads and rivers. Third, organise teams of local experts to review and organise the information to be added to create theme maps. Fourth, organise the information into the maps. Finally, present the base map and theme maps publicly for comment and evaluation.
Figure 5. Iterative cycle of interactive mapping. Steps 3, 4 and 5 are repeated as more information becomes available to build more accurate maps. Ideally, the process occurs annually to feed into local governments’ budget and planning cycles.
Step 1. Organise local mapmaker team and choose mapping technology Select a small group (6–8) of volunteers who are interested in learning new technologies and mapping techniques. The trainees should be from local government, local institutions and communities. Trainees should know how to read and write and make basic mathematical calculations. Training local people to be mapmakers not only makes the process participatory but also makes it more efficient. Organise several practices in a community and the surrounding forest. A training chain is an effective method, where the first person learns how to take GPS points, and then has to train the next person. This method teaches people how to train others.
Step 2. Prepare base map The base map is a geo-political map that shows boundaries, communities, rivers, lakes, roads and bridges. The base map serves as the starting point for creating theme maps that display information about poverty, wellbeing, projects, relationships or other local conditions. The local government may already have a good base map. If not, check with various government agencies and organisations (see Box 11). Look for additional sources of information, such as geo-referenced information databases and satellite images. Combine the information into a single map. Make sure that there is sufficient detail. If the locations of important features are missing, make field visits with a GPS to collect that data. Share the base map with local constituents (i.e. community members, landholders, merchants and local officials) for their review before moving on to the next step. Correct for errors or missing information. Make multiple copies of the base map for the next step.
Step 3. Form theme groups and collect poverty information Identify theme maps that would be useful for decision making and planning for poverty reduction. For instance, a map of the incidence of malaria would be helpful for a disease eradication campaign (see Figure 7). For each theme map, form focus groups of local experts who are familiar with the topic and can contribute information or their in-depth local knowledge on the subject matter. Here are some examples of themes and possible group composition:
Each group examines existing information gathered from regional institutions (e.g. the education and health services, the national statistics bureau). They also contribute their own knowledge and experience. Step 4. Create theme maps
Provide copies of the base map to each group. Ask the groups to think about different ways of representing theme information on the map. For instance, Figure 7 shows the incidence of malaria in a municipality in Pando. The red circles show not only where malaria is endemic, but the size of the red circles symbolises how many cases occur in each community. Figure 8 is another example of a useful visual representation of data—the lines show how long it takes to reach the municipal capital. Instruct the groups to sketch the theme information onto the base map. They should document the information and record how the map was developed. Once groups are in agreement that the information is accurately depicted, they should prepare a final version (either digital or plotted by hand, depending on the technology being used). Once the base map and theme maps are finished, present them publicly for evaluation and comment. Have representatives from each focus group describe what is represented in their theme map and explain principal conclusions that they drew from the process of map making. The public should be asked to reflect on whether the maps are accurate and whether they are helpful. This activity has several purposes:
Keep in mind that the objective is not to generate a one-time snapshot of reality; interactive mapping is a dynamic tool for understanding and evaluating local conditions over time. Therefore, Steps 3, 4 and 5 should be repeated at regular intervals, such as once per year. An additional benefit of interactive mapping is that it encourages coordination in the collection of information by different agencies.
Figure 7. Incidence of malaria in the communities of El Sena, Bolivia. The size of the red circles corresponds to the annual number of cases per community.
Figure 8. Travel time to communities in hours from the municipal capital, El Sena, Bolivia.
© 2007 Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) |
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Select an appropriate mapping technology. There are many ways to make maps with various levels of technology, depending on what tools are feasible. Using a handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) for geo-referencing locations is highly recommended, because the GPS is easy to use and the coordinate data can be applied in the mapping process with or without a computer. Geo-referenced coordinates form the basis of information that is later added to the map. Using a GPS together with mapping software, such as ArcView, is a good match if a computer is readily available. However, if access to a computer is not possible, then it is effective to draw a coordinate grid on a large piece of paper (or tape smaller sheets together) and mark the GPS coordinates on the grid. Keep in mind that it must be possible to make copies of the maps.
