07 Collaborative mapping

A popular method to en­gage stakeholders in urban planning and design and to develop a better under­stand­ing of the different types of acti­vi­ties encoun­tered in the public space. The aim is to facilitate the spatiali­sation of users’ mobility flows and set the con­diti­ons for identifying poss­ible con­flicts in the public space.

Select the most suitable format

Syncity tested three versions of collaborative mapping:

– traditional (single use printed maps and hand drawing)

– whiteboard (map printed on an erasable whiteboard and hand drawing with special markers)

– online (digital drawing on a static map using an open-source programme – AWW APP).

The traditional and whiteboard versions are well suited for groups of 6 – 8 people and require a large space, a suitable date and time, and the creation of a group with similar interests to assure a comfortable environment that facilitates their interaction (e. g. shop keepers or members of an association). The online version works better for individual interactions, but the participants need to have digital literacy skills and equipment, and you need to explain the tools in a training session.

Hold the workshop

Ask participants to draw their resident / user experiences (e. g. crossing the street or resting), including the barriers encountered, on a geographical map of a familiar public space. Alternatively, provide them with blank paper (or sheets with a few elements already drawn on it) and ask them to develop mental maps. This allows participants to draw their own perception of space that leads to a more personal representation of space.

Benefits

Collaborative mapping allows participants to identify and visualise the most frequented areas used as passages. The facilitator and the tools provided enable the repre­sen­tation of local knowledge about a specific area. The act of drawing together triggers a discussion about the problems and opens up possibilities for the transforma­tion of a public space.

Who is it for

Users of a particular area

How does it work

Participants work together to draw mobility flows in the public space and identify potential conflicts of usage.

Why, what for

It leads to a deeper understanding of different usages and the needs of the local community.

Who can do it and what do you need for it

Competences: skills for using digital representation tools; facilitation skills

Materials: traditional / whiteboard version: a printed map, a white board, pens and pencils

At what phase in a planning process

After completing the site diagnostic and identifying the stakeholders

Estimated budget

Traditional version: € 30 – € 80
Whiteboard version: € 150

syncity Contact

Cataline Sénéchal, cataline.senechal(at)ieb.be, Catalina Dobre, catalina.dobre(at)ulb.be

Further reading:
Carton, Linda J. and Will A. H. Thissen. 2009. ‘Emerging Con­flict in Collaborative Mapping: Towards a Deeper Under­stand­ing?’ Journal of Environmental Management 90(6): 1991 – 2001.
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Huybrechts, Liesbeth, Dressen, Katrien and Selina Schepers. 2012. ‘Mapping Design Practices: On Risk, Hybridity and Participation’. PDC’12: Proceedings of the 12th Participatory Design Conference: Exploratory Papers, Workshop Descriptions, Industry Cases — Volume 2, August 2012, pp. 29–32.
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Kesby, Mike. 2007. ‘Spatialising Participatory Approaches: The Contribution of Geography to a Mature Debate’. Environment and Planning A 39(12): 2813 – 2831.