We know from this class that GIS
is incredibly useful in a variety of disciplines. However, a few years ago, a
research project was done to understand the feasibility of ‘public
participation geographic information systems.’ This fairly recently developed idea
promotes the public's “use [of] GIS to incorporate
information held by local communities into the planning process, to address
concerns articulated by community participants and groups, to reduce
inequalities in public access to information and technology, and to develop and
make spatial information more adaptable for community use” (Wood 2005, 159). Communities themselves understand their specific “sense of space” and
what is important to them, much more so than an imported researcher, thus could use GIS technology to illustrate their concerns. Justin
Wood, from Lancaster University in England, worked with several community groups in Edinburgh, Scotland to
help identify “issues groups faced regarding the potential use of maps, spatial
information and GIS in facilitating community involvement” (Wood 2005, 161).
He introduced
the groups to MapInfo Windows GIS, but found that very few members of the
community had any understanding of what GIS actually was, never mind its
capabilities for community outreach. To illustrate to full capabilities of the technology, Wood addressed the common complaint in the area that that the Green Belt in Edinburgh was disappearing by creating a map to show the increase in development and loss of countryside in the area.
However, Wood discovered that at least one
person in each group
contacted was interested in working with GIS, whom he then taught the ins and outs of the program. The members found the following issues had the highest potential for GIS use:
(a)
Strategic coverages of a wider area (e.g. a city and its surrounds).
(b)
Coverages following a selected strategic feature, for example a major proposed
walkway route along a river or disused railway line, and interlinking paths.
(c)
Local coverages which seamlessly linked or crossed community boundaries, and
the features of concern to neighbouring community groups.
(d)
Views of local features of interest from within one community only.
(e)
Selection of a specific local feature such as a farm field or woodland.
Wood found that, after being trained, the community preferred GIS over paper maps, as they would be able to keep
electronic record of data, which then could be updated from year to year, as well as a multitude of other benefits, such as illustrating the far-reaching benefits of grants. GIS helped the community view
maps not as simple two-dimensional objects, but as interactive tool that could be linked with pictures and detailed area histories, which
lead to the rethinking of issues and their interconnectivity, which could now
be linked and illustrated more effectively. Further, while GIS can depict problems from a specific neighborhood, it also is cable of crossing these boundaries, to exemplify how the problems transcend the “artificial boundaries,” and help facilitate inter-community projects.
Therefore, while there are still major complications in wide-scale usage of GIS technology, including copyright issues, the cost of the program and future updates, as well as the scarcity of people with GIS skills, who could help with training and organization, this study demonstrated the potential for GIS use in a community setting as a practical facilitation tool" for engagement and to develop partnerships throughout the area (Wood 2005, 167). To adequately achieve this potential in application, however, it is necessary for a community to have “ongoing support from a facilitator, or a key volunteer with GIS skills” (Wood 2005, p.168) This study not only indicates the applicability of GIS in community outreach, as well as its conceivable accessibility to the general public, with training, but represents an option for us students, learning these technological skills, to help empower and assist in community development in the future.
Wood, J. (2005).
‘How green is my valley?’ Desktop geographic information systems as a
community-based participatory mapping tool. Area,
37(2), 159-170. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4762.2005.00618.x
This is a cool idea. I was first introduced to GIS in a physical geography class I took at ACC when a guy from Austin Energy came to demonstrate how he used GIS technology to map out the locations of energy and water stations as to respond to power/ water outages faster. I also heard of people in Austin using GIS to put in their opinion on public transportation in the Austin area (such as the placement of rail systems... let's cross our fingers for that.) It seems to me that if we're able to increase awareness of GIS it will help people be able to make more informed decisions about everything from where they purchase their food to where they buy a house.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that researchers are going out and teaching members of the community the use usefulness of GIS. Once citizens learn the benefits of this technology, it is a easy way to let people participate in what's going on in their community.
ReplyDeleteThe ability that GIS has to provide communities with tools for better articulating their stances and spreading awareness has enormous potential for planning and development, but also at the grass-roots and community non-profit levels. The organization I worked with this summer attempted to use a similar program online to allow community collaboration for spreading such awareness about pollution in local waterways.
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