An Introduction to Community Mapping

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An Introduction to Community Mapping

• COOL/Idealist on Campus Conference
• March 4, 2006
• Joel Rittle, Director of Resource Development,
  Public Allies -- joelr_at_publicallies.org

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• AGENDA

• Introductions
• Introduction to Asset-Based Community
  Development
• Mapping Relationships
• Bridge to External Communities
• Breakouts-How could I use this in my work?
• Report outs/final questions

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Neighborhood from needs outlook
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Neighborhood from asset outlook
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• Asset-Based
• Community Development

• Community assets are key building blocks in
  sustainable urban and rural community
  revitalization efforts. These community assets
  include
• the skills of local residents
• the power of local associations
• the resources of public, private and non-profit
  institutions
• the physical and economic resources of local
  places.

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• Asset-Based
• Community Development

Your Communitys Assets Connected To () Your
Organizations Assets Produces () Strong
Community Based Projects
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A power ladder

• Residents in Control
• Residents control Goal Setting, Planning,
  Implementation
• Residents as Participants
• Residents participate in Goal Setting,
  Planning, Implementation
• Residents as Information Sources
• Residents in focus groups, fill out surveys
• Residents as Recipients
• Residents receive services
• Goal is to move as high on the ladder as possible

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Key Relationships

• Sustainable projects
• are often powerfully related to the involvement
  of residents
• recognize what frequently marginalized groups
  (i.e. Welfare recipients, elders, youth, ethnic
  minorities) can offer
• work to engage voluntary networks of associations
  in participation governance
• recognize the resources (personnel, space,
  expertise, equipment and economic power) that can
  be contributed to the project
• Recognizes the value of physical assets
• Maximize their positive impact on the local
  ecomony (hiring, purchasing, skills taught, etc.)

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Bridge to External Relationships

• A sustainable and effective project will first
  look to identify and connect assets within the
  community. After tapping into these local
  assets, the project may need to look outside to
  satisfy additional resource needs.

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Community mapping
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• Asset-Based
• Community Development

• Group Work
• How would you develop a mapping project (who,
  what assets to seek out, method)?
• How would you incorporate the results of your
  mapping into your project?