1. Community Asset Mapping

PIA's first stage of the process, the "Identification", was implemented using a ground-up participatory mapping. We found that starting with the cognitive mapping with was the listing of their assets empowered the the community with a sense of pride and renewed interest. We realized that the sketch maps were eventually easily lost, online opensource mapping remains accessible to community on their demand and can easily be shared.  

Sketch Mapping

• Community is asked to draw a map of their assets. Symbols are used to identify the various points e.g. a cross for church, a boat for the fishing area.

• This map will assist persons to GPS the points for the final Google map with will become the planning tool. 

Google Maps

What is Google Maps? - Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google for free and is used in many map-based services, including the online creation of maps, Google Maps website, emailed maps and embedded maps into websites.   

Google Maps is accessible to anyone with an "Gmail" email address. 

The great thing about Google Maps is that you can use the online tool without the immediate use of a GPS devise. Communities intimate knowledge of the area can help to map their assets readily due to the availability satellite imagery, which allows the community to mark and label points from their local knowledge of the place.