Socio-Spatial Mapping
Socio-Spatial Mapping helps participants understand a location's complexities by combining on-site observations and conversations with users. It fosters a holistic understanding of public spaces by integrating diverse perspectives and data.
Use this method to gather data about a public space, identify opportunities for improvement, and facilitate conversations among stakeholders with different perspectives.
Solves: Lack of understanding of user needs and experiences in a specific location; siloed perspectives preventing a holistic view of a public space.
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Step 1: Assignment Briefing and Grouping (10 mins). Introduce the central challenge and topics. Divide participants into teams of four, with observation and conversation pairs.
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Step 2: Desk Research (60 mins). Teams research the location's history, physical environment, and functions using online tools and provided information.
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Step 3: Visiting the Place (30 mins). Observation pairs focus on observing their assigned topic, marking relevant data on transparent overlays. Conversation pairs engage users, noting positive/negative experiences and improvement suggestions on their overlays.
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Step 4: Connecting Perspectives (30 mins). Teams overlay their observation and conversation layers, discussing differences and similarities to integrate findings.
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Step 5: Integrating Insights (20 mins). Teams share combined insights with the entire group through presentations or a poster session, facilitating a discussion to arrive at an integrated perspective.
- Encourage students to step out of their comfort zones when approaching strangers.
- Remind students to allow everyone a say in the discussion and recognise the value of respectful, constructive feedback.
- Focus on specific user groups (e.g., children, elderly, people with disabilities).
- Use digital mapping tools instead of physical maps and overlays.