Introduction

This Unit introduces the trainee to the basics of ground and sketch mapping.

Community mapping is a process and a tool used to visually convey spatial knowledge. A community mapping process may help to visualise the distribution of resources, issues and spatial relationships at the village level. Ground and sketch maps are powerful tools that make it easier to identify and analyse place-based patterns and communicate those patterns in a simple and visually realistic way to a broad range of stakeholders. Ground and sketch maps offer local communities a means of spatially visualising their knowledge and perceptions which, in turn, stimulates the exchange of information and equalises opportunities for all community members to participate in processes affecting their livelihood.

Unit objectives / expected outcomes

After the completion of the Unit the trainee will be able to:

• describe and differentiate ground and sketch mapping;
• explain the characteristics of ground and sketch mapping;
• conduct ground and sketch mapping;
• discuss strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of ground and sketch mapping.

Content outline, main topics covered and suggested sequencing

This Unit focuses on the topics listed below:

1. Ground and sketch mapping; their strengths and weaknesses (PPT No. 1, including brief Q&A session at the end) (30 min); (Exercise No. 1) (1 hr); (Exercise No. 2) (optional; 1–3 hrs, up to a whole day); (Exercise No. 3) (1–2 hrs); (Exercise No. 4) (1 hr)

Components of the Unit

Exercises

• Exercise No. 1: Map your neighbourhood; to practise diagramming, including scale, symbols, and direction, and to discuss processes and omissions in diagramming (1 hr)
• Exercise No. 2 (optional): Transect walk; to demonstrate the importance of going in person (as a team) to observe and talk about things of local importance (1–3 hrs, up to a whole day)
• Exercise No. 3: Mental map analysis; to discover what different maps tell about the people who drew them; to illustrate the great differences in perceptions held by different groups of people within the communities or organisations; to demonstrate the validity of these different views and the importance of acknowledging and understanding multiple perspectives and priorities within communities and organisations (1–2 hrs)
• Exercise No. 4: SWOT analysis; to identify strengths and opportunities and consider how to optimise these; to identify weaknesses and threats and strategise on how to address these (1 hr)

Handouts for Trainee (to be distributed in printed format):

• Ground and Sketch Mapping (Handout4T)
• Guidelines: Transect Mapping Guideline
• Article: Resource Mapping
• Article: SWOT Analysis
• List of Additional Resources
• Unit Glossary (Included in the Module Glossary)

Handouts for Trainee (to be distributed in digital format)

• Article: Participatory mapping as a catalyst for rural people’s empowerment
• Article - Land and natural resource mapping by San communities and NGOs: experiences from Namibia

Presentations

• PPT No. 1: Introduction to Ground and Sketch Mapping; This presentation provides an introduction to the methods of ground and sketch mapping, including their strengths and weaknesses (30 min)

Duration

4-5 hrs; if Exercise No. 2 (transect walk) is included, the Unit may take up to 2 days.

Additional trainer resources

• Jules N. Pretty, Irene Guijt, Ian Scoones and John Thompson, Participatory Learning and Action: A Trainer’s Guide, IIED, 1995, Participatory methodology series, UK

Equipment needed

Beamer, computer, flip charts, pin boards, blackboards or whiteboards, wall space, marker pens, large sheets of paper, craft paper (1m x 2 m), masking tape, scissor, small notebooks, pens, prepared maps copied onto coloured paper, table, meta cards, pins or thumbtacks

Additional downloads

• Download this page in MS Word format (additional information included)
• Download the complete unit