1. PARTICIPATORY CARTOGRAPHY IN BENIN
Involving citizens in demarcating their communities, a case study from Benin
Felix Braeckman
Egy Sossou
World Bank Land & Poverty Conference, 22 March 2017

2. Who we are Working on local governance since 1912
Voor datum, voettekst, etc. gebruik onder ‘Invoegen’ de gewenste optie.
Verderop in de presentatie vind je van elk dia model een voorbeeld dia.
Working on local governance since 1912
Committed to strenghtening democratic local governance worldwide

3. Projet d’appui à la gestion Foncière au niveau Locale (PFL)
Laboratory to implement Benin’s new land code
Turn paper into reality
Financed by the NL Embassy in Cotonou
Voor datum, voettekst, etc. gebruik onder ‘Invoegen’ de gewenste optie.
Verderop in de presentatie vind je van elk dia model een voorbeeld dia.
ASSOCIATION NATIONALE DES COMMUNES DU BENIN
ANCB

4. Participatory Cartography
Cadastral records are registered at “village level” in Benin
But: Most villages have never been mapped
So: Prior to land registration, village outlines must be mapped
But: No existing framework to do so
Solution:
 Simple methodology
Communities are central
Cheap & Quick

5. Participatory Cartography is simple
Step 1: Participatory mapping
Step 2: Mapping landmarks
Step 3: Community validation

6. Step 1: Participatory Mapping
Community members discuss village boundaries based on landmarks
+ members from neighbouring communities
Chaired by a land surveyor
Group elects village representatives

7. Step 2: Mapping Landmarks
Land surveyors: Collect coordinates of identified land marks
Village representatives: Assist the land surveyor in identification
+ identifies new land marks

8. Step 3: Community Validation
Resolve overlaps
Counsel members of both villages
Village elders
Municipal authorities (moderator)
Result: No outstanding conflicts

9. Participatory Cartography: Results
May to July 2016 – only 3 months time
Total of 34 villages were demarcated
Demarcations based on community perception
Cost: USD 400,00
No conflicts between villages remain
Land registration can begin

10. Participatory Cartography: Notes
Preparation!
Ensure commitment of local authorities
Inform citizens on new land code
Create trust
Ensure commitment of citizens
 Do no harm, avoid conflicts
Results are not legally binding
Domestic demarcation validation is responsibility of Benin’s senate
Beyond Benin?
Participatory Cartography offers a tool to map domestic boundaries in a way which is: - Simple
- Cost-effective
- Fast
- Community based

11. Thank you for your attention!
Conclusion
Participatory Cartography has proven to be an inclusive, inexpensive and feasible way to peacefully draw domestic borders based on community identities
Thank you for your attention!