Jordan, Gavin

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a tool for enabling mapping and spatial analysis to be performed for a variety of applications, including natural resource management and planning activities. This article explores some of the benefits and concerns of using GIS as a participatory tool. It draws on a case study in Nepal, where participatory GIS was used in the field of community forest management. It argues that although GIS has a somewhat justified poor reputation as a tool for participatory development, this is due to misuse of GIS.

This short report on participatory GIS focuses on the outcomes of a workshop run by the National Centre of Geographic Information Analysis in 1998. The workshop established that there was a clear appreciation of the participatory process, but did highlight supposedly participatory GIS case studies where no active participation occurred. It provided an excellent forum for dialogue between "GIS" and "participatory" participants, and the article details key issues that were identified.