In this guide, we consider why we map, where we get maps, what we map and how we map.
See Also:
Use this area to list related documents
Why Do We Map?
We map in order to learn about:
Boundaries of an area
The size, approximate population and dispersion of an area
Sub-divisions in an area
Major target groups, such as sex workers, truckers, migrant workers, traders, students
Major target areas, such as sex work neighbourhoods, truck stops, military bases, schools
The possible size of different target groups and areas
Major stable and mobile target groups and the relative size of each
Potential interactions in an area, for example, between stable and mobile populations, military bases and sex work neighbourhoods or truck stops and schools
Commerce, particularly commerce related to HIV transmission, including major sources of employment, nightclubs, bars and other liquour outlets
Health, education, social and NGO services in an area
Security and crime in an area
Provisional zones, or discrete sub-divisions, in an area
The visible social and sexual culture of an area
Potential interventions
The approximate resources required for interventions
Where Do We Get Maps?
We may be able to get maps from the following sources:
The ministry/department of lands
The surveyor's office
Local government authority town planning, housing or engineering departments
The census bureau. Their maps of enumeration areas include footpaths and obstacles and are thus very useful
Universities, archives or public libraries
Development agencies working in an area, especially water and urban and rural development organizations
Private corporations working in an area, especially mines, plantations and oil companies, who may have their own cartographers
Aerial photograph agencies, such as mineral and agricultural surveyors
Satellite mapping agencies. These are often more up-to-date than hand-drawn maps
What Do We Map?
We map the following:
Major external boundaries and internal divisions
Major industrial centers
We begin by studying the map carefully, noting major industrial, commercial and agricultural centers
We then consult with people who are familiar with a project area, asking them to provide further detail
We then drive slowly throughout an area, familiarizing ourselves with the site and noting major features. During this drive, we also develop a plan to map the site in greater detail, by sub-dividing it into smaller, more manageable units and identifying focal points for further mapping
Armed with our maps, we then either walk through the site, if it is small enough, or drive to focal points, then walk through the site. During our walk/drive, we map the major features noted above
We then develop a detailed key for each of the features mapped
We then transfer our rough mapping onto a new map, complete with a key and a full list of all sites
During the mapping, we also note the following, which will influence intervention development:
What is the latest estimate of the population of the project area
How geographically dispersed is the project area?
What proportion of the project area consists of informal settlements? In general, infrastructure, health and educational facilities are more limited in informal settlements
How good is public transport, both during the day and at night?
How safe is the entire project area and its sub-areas? If violent crime is common at night, this will reduce night intervention activities. If it is even unsafe in daylight, this will affect intervention design and delivery
On the basis of this mapping information, we begin to examine whether it is feasible to initiate interventions in the entire site, or whether we must limit ourselves to sub-sites. In deciding, we should consider these factors:
If the project area's population is over 1 million people, it may be advisable to limit ourselves, at least initially, to sub-sites
In widely dispersed areas, it is harder to begin interventions in the entire area
In sites consisting largely of informal settlements, it may be harder to cover the entire site. If the settlements are unauthorized, it may be even harder to conduct an assessment or intervention, because of mobility, official discouragement or inhabitants' distrust
Conclusion
Once we have completed the map, we organize our subsequent assessments and interventions around our map. The map is a framework for all ensuing work. During interventions, we also re-map at regular intervals, typically annually, to ensure our map is up-to-date.
