Employing Participatory GIS in Appalachia Timothy L. Hawthorne and WVU A-SARD Team Members

Outline of Presentation Overview of Participatory GIS Overview of Participatory GIS The A-SARD collaboratory The A-SARD collaboratory A-SARD research in West Virginia A-SARD research in West Virginia PGIS at the Scott’s Run study site PGIS at the Scott’s Run study site PGIS at the Cheat Lake study site PGIS at the Cheat Lake study site Reflections on the PGIS experience Reflections on the PGIS experience

Participatory GIS GIS produces formal (“objective”) knowledge GIS produces formal (“objective”) knowledge GIS does not typically include local knowledge GIS does not typically include local knowledge PGIS integrates qualitative information (multimedia, mental maps, public opinions) with quantitative data PGIS integrates qualitative information (multimedia, mental maps, public opinions) with quantitative data Involves the public in the planning process Involves the public in the planning process Illustrates socially differentiated realities Illustrates socially differentiated realities Enriches our understanding of place Enriches our understanding of place

PGIS & A-SARD The Appalachian-Southern Africa Research and Development Collaboratory was established in 1999 by WVU, the University of Pretoria, and the Catholic University of Mozambique. The Appalachian-Southern Africa Research and Development Collaboratory was established in 1999 by WVU, the University of Pretoria, and the Catholic University of Mozambique. Case study areas are disparate regions, yet quite similar. Case study areas are disparate regions, yet quite similar. Urban-rural interface Urban-rural interface Local dependence on natural resources Local dependence on natural resources Similar patterns of uneven development Similar patterns of uneven development Three sites in Monongalia County Three sites in Monongalia County Scott’s Run (work in progress) Scott’s Run (work in progress) Cheat Lake/Cheat Neck (starting) Cheat Lake/Cheat Neck (starting) Blacksville (planned) Blacksville (planned)

Monongalia County, WV Study Area

Scott’s Run Study Site Mining camp in the early 20 th century Mining camp in the early 20 th century Area has experienced business & development cycles Area has experienced business & development cycles Area is now beginning to experience growth Area is now beginning to experience growth Sewer project expected to change landscape Sewer project expected to change landscape Open land for development Open land for development Benefits accrue to land owners (not residents) Benefits accrue to land owners (not residents)

Local Issues in Scott’s Run Pollution: direct sewer into acid mine stream Economic deterioration: empty storefronts in Osage

PGIS in Scott’s Run Team tours and contact with key informants Team tours and contact with key informants Initial meetings and follow-ups Initial meetings and follow-ups Expansion of study area (west and north) Expansion of study area (west and north) Concentration of land ownership identified Concentration of land ownership identified Environmental degradation illustrated Environmental degradation illustrated Surveys of area residents conducted Surveys of area residents conducted Maps and database developed, linked Maps and database developed, linked Local development activities enhanced Local development activities enhanced

Scott’s Run Residential Survey Results Several common issues emerged from discussions with community members: Several common issues emerged from discussions with community members: Near coal mines Near coal mines Houses in area run down Houses in area run down Flooding problematic Flooding problematic Sewage & health issues Sewage & health issues Virtually all community members said they did not receive financial assistance to improve conditions Virtually all community members said they did not receive financial assistance to improve conditions More than half of the people surveyed were below $20,000 in income More than half of the people surveyed were below $20,000 in income More than 10 percent were African-American More than 10 percent were African-American 64 percent owned their residence 64 percent owned their residence

Cheat Lake study site High growth corridor in the county High growth corridor in the county New residential housing, commercial activities New residential housing, commercial activities Completion of highway corridor connector expected in next 2 years Completion of highway corridor connector expected in next 2 years Wealthiest portion of the county Wealthiest portion of the county Meetings with two county planners in the fall of 2003 helped establish initial contacts with community. Meetings with two county planners in the fall of 2003 helped establish initial contacts with community. Project plan in progress Project plan in progress Work will be carried out in the summer/fall 2004 Work will be carried out in the summer/fall 2004

Local Issues in Cheat Lake

Expected Outcomes in Cheat Lake Create GIS land use database for Monongalia County planners (collaborating with Chris Fletcher) Create GIS land use database for Monongalia County planners (collaborating with Chris Fletcher) Identify areas of community consensus and conflict regarding critical land use issues Identify areas of community consensus and conflict regarding critical land use issues Integrate local knowledge into GIS with multimedia, mental maps, and narratives Integrate local knowledge into GIS with multimedia, mental maps, and narratives Provide local residents with GIS land use change data to strengthen their arguments about critical land use issues Provide local residents with GIS land use change data to strengthen their arguments about critical land use issues Important to document if their opinions of critical land use issues change as they are exposed to GIS Important to document if their opinions of critical land use issues change as they are exposed to GIS

Reflections on PGIS Experience Project plan needs to be in place prior to entering the community Project plan needs to be in place prior to entering the community Flexibility must also be present to explore the issues raised by the community: let the community define their issues Flexibility must also be present to explore the issues raised by the community: let the community define their issues Find key informants and an “in” with the community Find key informants and an “in” with the community Use multiple methods for collecting local knowledge (public meetings, in-depth interviews, mapping exercises, transect walks, etc) Use multiple methods for collecting local knowledge (public meetings, in-depth interviews, mapping exercises, transect walks, etc)

Employing Participatory GIS in Appalachia For more information about the A-SARD Project: Please Tim Hawthorne at