Participating in Rural Appraisal? A Review of Participatory GIS and Citizen Science Approaches

Abstract

In recent decades, participatory processes have emerged as vital tools in rural appraisal, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development, engaging stakeholders in decision-making. This paper reviews participatory mapping, participatory GIS (PGIS), and Citizen Science approaches, examining their applications and methodologies in rural contexts. The review reveals that PGIS excels in integrating spatial technologies for community-driven data visualization and planning, while Citizen Science fosters broad community involvement and data collection. Both approaches enhance stakeholder empowerment and inclusivity but face challenges such as technological accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and sustaining long-term engagement. By analyzing case studies in rural territories, the paper presents the methodologies and their role in addressing complex socio-environmental issues. This study contributes to the growing literature on participatory rural appraisal and underscores the importance of integrating community knowledge and scientific data for informed decision-making in rural development.