Local Knowledge Doesn’t Grow on Trees: Community-Integrated Geographic Information Systems and Rural Community Self-Definition

Abstract

The Appalachian-Southern Africa Research and Development Collaboratory (ASARD) seeks to explore the integration of community decision-making with GIS across cultures. Combining geospatial data with local knowledge and the active participation of the community creates a Community-Integrated Geographic Information System (CIGIS) representing and valuing themes related to community and economic development. The intent is to integrate traditional GIS with the decision-making regime of local people and authorities to assist them in making informed choices and to increase local participation in land use planning, especially within economically disadvantaged communities.