ICTs in Namibia’s Communal Area Conservancies

This article in the online ICT Update describes the use of participatory GIS [Geographic Information Systems] in Namibia’s Communal Area Conservancies. According to the authors, the approach used by the Conservancy Programme is innovative in not only capturing local knowledge of an area through participation of local residents, but in improving the spatial accuracy of those maps through a geo-referencing procedure.

The mapping procedure the authors describe follows several steps that involve both local resident participation and the work of either local or outside GIS specialists. Process steps include:

1. Produce hand-drawn maps during village mapping workshops.
2. Transfer information from the hand-drawn maps onto an orthophoto base map, prepared with accurate location of local features like schools, shops, water pumps.
3. Trace overlays of new data from base map.
4. Digitise traced maps individually.
5. Superimpose the numerous the digitised maps to "to produce a composite map showing land use patterns, including areas reserved for tourism and wildlife, grazing, forestry and trophy hunting."
6. Add conservancy logo to composite maps.
7. Provide quality checks.
8. Print and distribute hard copies.

The full procedure, according to the authors, has been formalised into a Standard Operating Procedure document.

Through this process, local residents have received on-the-job training in digitising hand-drawn maps. One upcoming challenge, according to the organisers, is increasing the local GIS skillset so that the local populations can produce their own custom maps.

This article describes four advantages of the process:

1. Local information is captured from residents with a knowledge of the area.
2. These participatory maps have extra accuracy through the spatial rectification process.
3. Local non-governmental organisation (NGO) staff are gaining mapping and GIS expertise.
4. In some instances, better relationships are developing between park authorities and local residents and NGO staff.