Panel of sensitive mapping experiments with respect to various sources of information

Abstract

Abstract. Sensitive mapping corresponds to a process of making maps by consciously integrating personal subjectivity about a space during observation and visualization. The approach is mobilized to express emotions, sentiments and opinions associated to a spatial environment as well as a mean to be attentive to this environment based on the five senses. The objective of the work is to explore the relations between sources of information about a space and resulted maps. Three sensitive mapping experiments implemented during the seminar in sensitive mapping in École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) are described. Different sources are used: direct observation, audio records and texts. The maps made by the participants were analyzed according to the criteria of the chosen material, the conceptualization of space, the scale and extent, the selection and display of information. Specificities and similarities between maps helped formulating hypotheses about the role of map-makers and the apprehension of space depending on the sources. Direct observation implied that the map-maker is physically in a space. Subjectivity can be seen on the maps through little completeness of the landscape features and display of emotions, sentiments and opinions. Audio records and texts implied that the map-makers did not go into the space. Maps contain relative completeness and details of information from the sources, mainly regarding landscape features. Interpretations by map-makers appeared more in the design than in the information selection. Sources of information can thus be considered complementary and sensitive mapping experiments can combine them to gather knowledge and perceptions about a space.