How to use:
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To understand what PPGIS is
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To describe the principles of PPGIS
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To apply examples of case studies and their
use in health communication and advocacy
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To participate in a PPGIS process
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1
(1) a study of the uses and applications of
geographic information and/or geographic
information systems technology
(2) used by members of the public, both as
individuals and grass-root groups,
(3) for participation in public processes (data
collection, mapping, analysis and/or decisionmaking) affecting their lives1.
Rutgers (2011)

Enable public access to cultural, economic and biophysical
data generated by governments, private sector
organizations and academic institutions;

Is best applied via partnerships developed between
individuals, communities, NGOs, academic institutions,
governments and the private sector;

Support lifelong learning that helps to bridge the divides
that exist between cultures, academic disciplines, gender
and class;

Is about sharing the challenges and opportunities of place
and situation in a transparent and celebratory manner2.
2 Aberley
& Sieber, (2002)

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Bottom-up approach
Allows communities to see their space from a
different perspective
Visual representation of multiple realities
Gives voice to marginalized populations
Can be adapted to any setting , low cost
Context and issues driven rather than
technology driven

Can create conflict

Participants may lack
polictical, technical
and financial control
over data and its use

Increased time
commitment
Community Mapping
Participatory 3D Models
Garfield, NJ Boys and Girls Club - PPGIS
Participatory Chinatown, Boston

Determine where to situate trial bike shares

Refer to your “character” – bureau of tourism,
bike association, interested citizens

Pinpoint spots in downtown Vancouver
where you may visit in a typical day

Next Steps
Aberley, D. & Sieber, R. (2003). Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) Guiding Principles. In: The 2nd URISA PPGIS
Conference Portland, Oregon. Retrieved March 2, 2011 from www.iapad.org/ppgis_principles.html
Asian Community Development Corportaion, et al. (2010). Participatory Chinatown Retrieved March 1, 2011
from www.participatorychinatown.org
City of Vancouver (2011). Bike Vancouver. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from
http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/bikeways/documents/2011BikeMap.pdf
Dunn, C. (2007). Participatory GIS – a peoples’ GIS. Progress in Human Geography 31(5), 616-637.
Driedger, S. (2007). Using Participatory Design to develop (public) health decision support systems through
GIS. International Journal of Health Geographics 6, 53-63
Garfield Community Mapping Blog. Retrieved March 1, 2011 from
www.garfieldcommunitymapping.wordpress.com
GIS Use in Public Health and Health Care. (2011). Retrieved March 2, 2011 from
http://healthmap.wordpress.com/
Hassan, M.M. (2005). Arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh: spatial mitigation planning with GIS and public
participation. Health Policy 74, 247-260.
Integrated Approaches to Participatory Development (n.d.) Participatory Avenues, the Gateway to
Community Mapping, PGIS, PPGIS. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from http://www.iapad.org/index.htm
Pennsylvania State University (2011). Geospatial Revolution : A Public Media Campaign. Retrieved March 1,
2011 from http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/
University of Victoria (2011). GIS and Epidemiology Workshop (ASHG101). Retrieved February 28,2011 from
http://distance.moodle.uvcs.uvic.ca/
Water Aid (2005). Community Mapping: A tool for Community Organising. Retrieved March 4, 2011 from
www.wateraid.org/documents/plugin_documents/communitymappingweb1.pdf