MAP-it. A participatory mapping toolkit

MAP-it is a tool for participatory cartography and conversation. It is an open and extendible set of stickers that allows a group of people to make their thoughts explicit about a project, idea, ... in the form of a map. The visual character of mapping allows participants from different backgrounds, who may speak different languages, to discuss and create on equal grounds. MAP-it not only encourages to share positive experiences, but also stimulates critique and debate. This publication will provide the reader with an insight in the tool and the broader field of mapping and methods in participatory design. People can download and contribute to MAP-it at www.map-it.be.

About the authors:

Liesbeth Huybrechts is vice dean of research in the Faculty of Art and Architecture (FAK/K.U.Leuven) in Brussels. In addition to that, she teaches courses about research (methods) in art and design in the MAD Faculty in Genk. She just finished her Phd research in Cultural Studies at K.U.Leuven on participatory practices in (new media) creative projects.

Thomas Laureyssens is artist, researcher and interaction-designer. His work is often inspired by cartography, cities and growth. He is a PhD candidate on games and ludic interventions for urban space and how these can be used to tackle urban issues. He studied graphic design at Sint-Lukas Brussels.

Katrien Dreessen graduated in Communication Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). After her studies, she started working at the research group SMIT (Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication)-IBBT (Interdisciplinary Institute for Broadband Technology) at the VUB, where she was involved in several national and international research projects. From October 2008, she is part of the MAD-Faculty as a researcher and teacher. As researcher and co-coordinator of the research group Social Spaces, Katrien is involved in a number of research projects, like the start-up of Fablab Genk.

Selina Schepers (1986, NL) is a researcher and coordinator for several design research-related courses at the Media, Arts & Design-faculty in Genk. As a part of the Social Spaces research group, she participated in various research projects such as "Open Garments" (a European research project on user empowerment in the textile (and clothing) industry) and "Euregionaal FabLab”. Selina graduated in 2009 as a Master of Philosophy (mPhil) in Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology at the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.