A participatory GIS solution for Watershed Rehabilitation Project management in the Changjiang and Pearl River basins

Abstract

The Changjing and Pearl River Watershed Rehabilitation Project (CPRWRP) is typical of large-scale development projects around the world. The dual objectives of this project were specifically to mitigate soil erosion as well as to achieve livelihood improvement in degraded areas across four contiguous provinces in China. But, management and oversight of these kinds of undertakings present massive challenges for all stakeholders. To support effective, timely, and inclusive engagement among participants in the CPRWRP, an innovative Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) was developed and realized. It provides an interactive Web Mapping Service (WMS) to enter and visualize data in real time, and supplies online analysis and compliance tools to achieve project mission goals and sustainability objectives. User-friendly graphic and cartographic representations enhance transparency and facilitate decision making at all levels. This PGIS approach to technical problems with human dimensions is replicable, scalable and extendable to other similar sustainable development projects worldwide. © 2013. The authors.