Cartographic resources for equitable university-community interaction in slum areas

Nascimento Reis das Virgens, M. et al. (2024) Cartographic resources for equitable university-community interaction in slum areas. Urban Science, 8(1), 20. (doi: 10.3390/urbansci8010020)

Abstract

Cartographic resources play a crucial role in facilitating communication across various sectors, including research projects focused on low-income communities. Despite this, some researchers still adhere to colonialist and exploitative approaches. This study aims to promote equitable university–community interaction though cartographic resources, aid academic and vulnerable community users in choosing a better platform for their work, and provide insights to developers for improving the platforms to better serve the user profiles of community members. To achieve this, we examined the use of cartographic resources in five projects within low-income communities (commonly referred to as favelas or so-called “slums”) in three Brazilian cities, all guided by equitable principles. The study unfolds in four stages: (i) data collection from documents and interviews; (ii) systematization into seven analytical categories—cartographic resources, data, personnel, processes, equipment, general objectives, and specific objectives; (iii) analysis of eight cartographic resources; and (iv) a critical examination of the outcomes. The synthesis of the collected information identified 65 characteristics/demands, with 17 common to all projects, including vector feature creation, thematic map design, printed map usage, and satellite imagery. We also identified 53 geographic information system (GIS) functionalities required for the projects, predominantly related to vector data generation and editing. The outcomes demonstrate the benefits of project methodologies, contributing to a decolonial university–community praxis. Additionally, they underscore the potential of digital cartographic resources, functioning not solely as data collection tools but also as powerful instruments that empower slum residents to advocate for improvements and foster local development.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. Authors M.N.R.d.V., R.L., F.C., H.K., and projects at item 4.1 and 4.2 (Perceived Risk x Objective Risk and Mapping with Milton Santos) where funded by UKRI Medical Research Council (MR/T029781/1) and Wellcome Trust (grant number 218987/Z/19/Z); Project 4.3 received no external funding; Authors J.P.d.A., M.R.F., F.G.S., A.d.S.F., and Project 4.4 (URBE Latam) was funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund for Equitable Resilience (grant reference ES/T003294/1); Authors J.P., M.F., and Project 4.5 (Popular Urbanization Plan for Banhado Community) was funded by Conselho Regional de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Paulo-CAU-SP (Termo de Fomento–Processo Administrativo n. 012/2018 de 26/12/2018).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Porto de Albuquerque, Professor Joao and Ulbrich, Dr Philipp

Creator Roles

Ulbrich, P.: Validation, Writing – review and editing
Porto de Albuquerque, J.: Writing – review and editing, Funding acquisition

• Authors: Nascimento Reis das Virgens, M., Lustosa Brito, P., Lustosa, R., Pedrassoli, J., Ulbrich, P., Porto de Albuquerque, J., Rodrigo Ferreira, M., Severo, F. G., Figueiredo, A., Fantin, M., Khalil, H., and Costa, F.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Urban Science
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2413-8851
• ISSN (Online): 2413-8851
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Urban Science 8(1):20
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license