Spatial Knowledge: A Potential to Enhance Public Participation?

Abstract

Spatial knowledge, i.e., knowledge about space and place, is commonly used by stakeholders during the deliberative process of public participation practice. The goal of this article is to examine to what extent spatial knowledge exists and is used in a formal public participation practice, as well as its potential to enhance the public participation practice. We used an annual public participation practice in Indonesia called Musrenbang as the case study. Using a three-dimensional framework, we identified the types, levels, and socio-spatial relationships of spatial knowledge used in the Musrenbang practice. Our study finds that villagers had and used spatial knowledge during Musrenbang. However, the knowledge was not properly used due to three main impediments: The stakeholders were not aware of their spatial knowledge, spatial data was not available, which can help to better utilize knowledge while supporting the participatory process, and power gaps among stakeholders. It can be concluded that the development of suitable methods, which can help stakeholders use their spatial knowledge, is needed to enhance the current Musrenbang practice.

The Role of Participatory Village Maps in Strengthening Public Participation Practice

“…Consequently, the village sketch map cannot be used for measuring the size of the village area or to calculate the distance of the village from other cartographic objects (such as main roads, rivers, or the sub-district capital). The villagers never use sketch maps for any decision-making processes; consequently, the maps are usually displayed in the village head office only as decoration [28].…”

“…Despite many studies in this field, there is a lack of empirical investigations addressing the role of such participatory village maps in supporting public participation practice. Examination of the Musrenbang may fill this gap as the topics of discussion in the process are closely linked to geographical locations, although maps are rarely used in Musrenbang implementation [28].…”

“…Out of 15 criteria, we tested 8 (shown in the third ring in Figure 1) that are relevant to the assessment of map usage in Musrenbang practice. Musrenbang may fill this gap as the topics of discussion in the process are closely linked to geographical locations, although maps are rarely used in Musrenbang implementation [28].…”

“…We visited and evaluated the Musrenbang in all villages twice, in 2018 (before the interventions) and in 2020 (after the interventions). We have reported the results of the Musrenbang (2018) and the mapping workshops (2019) in previous publications [7,27,28,38]. This study is a report of our second visit to the Musrenbang (2020) to examine the use of maps during the process in the case study areas.…”

Impact of Digital and Non-Digital Urban Participatory Approaches on Public Access Conditions: An Evaluation Framework

“…Interactive sessions with citizens are increasingly adopted to address urban planning problems. This dynamic generates dialogues between the citizens who are involved as local stakeholders/experts because of their knowledge derived from experiencing their neighborhood [12], and the local authorities in charge of urban development. Nonetheless, local officials retain the legal power of decision-making.…”