MAPS for PUBLIC PARTICIPATION in WATER MANAGEMENTConceptual limits and possibilities
Sébastien CAQUARD
Department of Geography - Dartmouth College
Water Time SeminarOct. 02, 2003 – Cordoba, Spain
[NB This presentation has been modified slightly in order to reduce its size for presentation on the Watertime website.]
Introduction
“The better citizens are informed, the better they can participate”
Public Participation = information access
Maps are designed to disseminate information
Public Participation is part of water management Present in many international conventions
To make information understandable with regard to regions and localities
Maps might be useful for improving public participation…
Conceptual limits
1. Maps for Public Participation
2. Example of maps for water management
Conclusion
Multimedia maps and Public Participation
3. Technological evolution and perspectives
Introduction
Analysis of a French Cartographic Guide
Map quality
Map reader experience
Map reader perspectives
Map reading is related to:
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
Maps are great tools
To represent geographical information
But map reading is not universal
Each map is read differently by each user at each time
THEMATICTHEMATICMAPSMAPS
AnalysisCommu-nication
To better understand a situation (analysis)
To better communicate the results (communication)
Historically, thematic maps have 2 functions:
ExpertMapmaker
Non expertMapreader
2 levels of expert choices
1
2
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
Analytical
Communication
Thematic maps are subjective: present expert perspective
They are perceived as being objective...
“They represent the reality”
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
... because they pretend to be objective…
To present their point of view as reality
Maps never acknowledge this subjectivity
They are a mirror of nature
... Which gives to mapmakers a strong power
THEMATICTHEMATICMAPSMAPS
AnalysisCommu-nication
ExpertMapmaker
Non expertMapreader
The “false objectivity” of maps is a powerful tool
Maps present expert perspectives
Maps have never been designed to improve Public Participation
Designed by and for experts
Maps pretend to be objective
Makes them very powerful
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
Maps do not provide egalitarian access to information
Depends on the map readers’/makers’ perspectives
2. Example of maps for water management
Analysis of a French Cartographic Guide
SAGE Guide Cartographique
Watershed = management unit
Local participation (Local Commission of Water)
SAGE (Water management schema) = framework
5 stages
In France water management is based on the 1992 law
2. Examples of maps for water management
Analysis of this cartographic guide
Stage 1
Inventory
Stage 2
Diagnostic
Stage 4
Strategy
Stage 3
Scenarios
Stage 5
Actions
A cartographic guide (national)
Based on local examples (Drôme watershed)
Maps have been chosen to improve public participation
2. Examples of maps for water management
Only experts are involved in stages 1 & 3
Information mappedStage 1
Inventory
Stage 2
Diagnostic
Stage 4
Strategy
Stage 3
Scenarios
Stage 5
Actions
Very nice graphically…
…but quite technical
Stage 2 & 4: expert maps
Example
2. Examples of maps for water management
Stage 1
Inventory
Stage 2
Diagnostic
Stage 4
Strategy
Stage 3
Scenarios
Stage 5
Actions
Very nice graphically…
…but quite technical
Stage 2 & 4: expert maps
Only experts are involved in stages 1 & 3
Information mapped
Expert maps disguised as non expert ones
2. Examples of maps for water management
Reinforce existing hierarchies
Maps and hierarchies
National guide
Based on existing administrative structure
Stage 1
Inventory
Stage 2
Diagnostic
Stage 4
Strategy
Stage 3
Scenarios
Stage 5
Actions
2. Examples of maps for water management
Reinforce local hierarchies: Downstream Vs. Upstream
Stage 1
Inventory
Stage 2
Diagnostic
Stage 4
Strategy
Stage 3
Scenarios
Stage 5
Actions
More pollution downstream… but no further actions to take
Environmental issues are not primary
Maps and hierarchies
At different level: National, Regional & Local
Thematic hierarchies: Environmental Vs. Economic
Maps present expert perspectives
Public is not involved in fundamental stages
Maps reinforce existing hierarchies
2. Examples of maps for water management
These maps are not designed to improve Public Participation
How to improve maps for public participation
3. Technological Perspectives - Multimedia Maps
How technological maps might be used?
Represent information as well as its limits...
... On the same document...
... Without discrediting the entire map…
Represent different perspectives on information...
… without graphical limitations
Interactivity
Multimedia
Interests of this “plural map”:
3. Technological Perspectives - Multimedia Maps
Technological maps have also some limits
Easy to use
Integrates different levels of knowledge
Highlights information limitations and the false objectivity of the map
Destabilizes the authority of the map
Information access gap between users
Map “false objectivity” (Technology like GIS)
Expert knowledge dissemination (Internet)
Risks: Technological maps might increase
3. Technological Perspectives - Multimedia Maps
Interest of multimedia is not primarily technological
Destabilizes the authority of the map
Difficult to generate
Limits for its development
In a top-down context...
… to disseminate expert perspectives
Maps have been designed
Conclusion & Perspectives
Multimedia maps give the opportunity to
Challenge this “traditional” map conception
… by changing map representation
The interest of technology is primarily conceptual
Rethink the place of information in Public Participation
Give it a place better adapted for societal evolutionTHE END
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
Maps for (water) management have been produced
By experts… for experts
To better understand/analyze the situation
Maps for (water) management were originally tools for experts
Nicer
Clearer
Easier to understand
These maps look
1. Maps for public participation - Conceptual limits
But they still represent
Expert information…
Maps for communication are still expert maps
More recently these maps have been designed for a wider public
Politicians, citizens, etc.