PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988-2001 3 Participatory mapping and modelling users' notes

The purposes of these notes are: ~· to outline the main methods, enabling readers to try them for themselves; ~· to encourage readers to adapt and develop them and invent new methods; and, ~· to let readers know where they can find out more.

Background and uses Maps and diagrams are an essential part of any planning activity. Maps are especially important in rural development projects where planning, implementation, monitoring or evaluation are required. This is especially the case when the subjects are land use, water sheds, afforestation, agricultural development etc. Increasingly in recent times, village maps showing the layout of the villages the infrastructure and houses etc are being used to map the household statuses of health, wealth, education and other socio- economic conditions.