Participatory GIS for integrating local and expert knowledge in landscape planning

This work describes the development and implementation of an operational methodology aiming at integrating expert and local knowledge by means of new technologies for geographic mapping and communications to enhance cultural landscape analysis and planning. Topics include the following aspects: a) the analysis of the type(s) of information required to construct a geographic information system using the landscape as a common objective b) the method to implement and integrate the various types of expert knowledge in the GIS c) the method to collect, organize and structure the local knowledge in the GIS d) the method to integrate the expert with the local knowledge e) the exploration of GIS functions in order to improve landscape understanding and communications. The main aim of the work is to examine the possibility of using participatory mapping methods and GIS for comparison and integration of multidisciplinary scientific expertise, local knowledge and landscape project proposals. In particular, it involved specific methods for enhancing local features of vineyard landscape through a participatory process developed with both vineyard entrepreneurs and the local population. The case study concerns the wine-growing area of Umbria, a region of Central-Italy.