Despite the large number of participatory mapping and participatory
geographical information system (PGIS) applications developed since the
1990s, few studies have utilized participatory mapping in formal
planning processes. Evidence is needed regarding their practical
applicability in rural land use planning in the Global South and their
effectiveness in decision-making in formal planning processes. In this
paper, we present participatory mapping and planning methodology that we
have co-developed for official village land use planning processes in
Tanzania and assess the method’s influence on spatial data quality as
well as deliberation and spatial understanding and learning among the
participants. We describe 11 literature-based criteria for integrating
participatory mapping into spatial planning processes and use them in
our assessment. The assessment includes analysis of village land use
plan (VLUP) maps and observations as well as interviews and group
discussions with participants and facilitators of the planning process.
We show that the participatory mapping method with georeferenced images
is a powerful tool to capture local spatial knowledge from a wide range
of stakeholders and increase the quality of and confidence in spatial
planning. As a visual aid, the georeferenced image supports deliberation
and detailed examination of the landscape, enhancing spatial
understanding and learning about the village landscape. Apart from
generating local spatial data, we show that the participatory geospatial
method supports the decision-making capacity of participants, which is
important for the effectiveness of the method in formal land use
planning processes.