Types of Empowerment
According to the slides, why is empowerment in GIS not one-dimensional?
Because empowerment can take different forms and vary by scale and time, and GIS can both empower and disempower communities at the same time.
What is “local” or “lived” knowledge?
Knowledge based on everyday experiences of people living in a place.
True/False: Maps rarely leave important information out.
False
What gives GIS its authority?
Its association with science, institutions, and technical expertise.
The Toxic Avengers were started by this group of people.
High School Students
Name one of the three types of empowerment defined by Elwood.
Distributive empowerment, Procedural empowerment Capacity-building empowerment
Why is GIS often seen as more legitimate than lived experience?
Because it appears technical and professional
Maps can highlight certain places or __________.
Problems/issues
Why do professional maps often outweigh community voices?
They are seen as more credible and objective by decision-makers.
The Toxic Avengers used mapping to show environmental __________.
Risk
How can GIS both empower and disempower communities at the same time?
GIS can empower communities by giving them access to data and legitimacy in planning, while also disempowering some residents by privileging technical expertise and marginalizing lived experience.
What kinds of knowledge often get left out when information cannot be translated into GIS-friendly data?
Everyday experiences and lived knowledge of residents.
Maps shape how people __________ an issue.
Understand
How does expertise affect participation in mapping?
Those with technical skills have more influence over representation.
The Watchperson Party mapped how close people lived to this type of facility.
A radioactive facility
What is one limitation of distributive empowerment mentioned in the slides?
Technical language and expertise requirements can create barriers for low-income residents, people of color, seniors, or those with limited English proficiency.
According to Elwood, what does power depend on in GIS-based decision-making?
Whose data is recognized as “valid”
Maps show information ___
Visually
Who benefits most from GIS being treated as objective?
Institutions and professionals who control data and tools.
The Department of Sanitation responded by creating this.
An official or competing map
Which type of empowerment often favors residents with technical or professional backgrounds?
Procedural empowerment
What main tension does Elwood identify in her work?
Community Knowledge & Institutional Authority
Maps can influence decisions and __________.
Policies
How might power change if lived experience were valued equally?
Decision-making could become more inclusive and responsive to communities.
Elwood’s case study focuses on a neighborhood association in this city.
Minneapolis