Lecture: Alternative Visions of the USA

Introduction to Critical GIS

• Course Details

  • Week 3.1: Doing GIS Critically
  • Instructor: Ryan Pardue
  • Course: GEOG2200 - Mapping Our World
  • Institution: Georgia State University

• Historical Context

  • Discussion on the role of maps in political power
  • Exploration of alternative uses of maps

History of Critical GIS

• The GIS Wars
  • Emergence of desktop GIS in the late 1980s
  • Clash between traditional GIScientists and critical geographers
  • Critical geographers' incorporation of Marxist, feminist, postmodern, and poststructural theories
• Philosophical Differences
  • Early GIS: Positivist approach
  • Critical geographers: Post-positivist, postmodern approach
  • Mutual criticisms and discourse on both sides
• Friday Harbor Meeting (1993)
  • Attempt to reconcile differences between the two groups
  • Integration of GIS and critical perspectives began

Three Waves of Critical GIS

• First Wave (1988-1992):
  • Characterized by polemics and mutual distaste
• Second Wave (1993-1998):
  • Measured objections and mutual engagement
• Third Wave (1998-2001):
  • Synthesis and combination of approaches

Key Principles of Critical GIS

• Positionality and Reflexivity:
  • Recognizing the social context of GIS
• Participation and Democracy:
  • Involving non-experts and alternative knowledge forms
• Alternative Theoretical Perspectives:
  • Inclusion of indigenous and feminist epistemologies

Doing Critical Mapping

• Participatory Mapping:
  • Community involvement in mapping
  • Changes political dynamics without changing map appearances
• Indigenous Mapping:
  • Maps used historically against indigenous peoples
  • New mapping projects counteract this erasure
• Feminist Mapping:
  • Challenges to traditional views of mapping
  • Revealing gender inequalities
• Counter-mapping:
  • Oppositional practices such as mapping border issues, housing injustice

Basic Principles of Critique

1. Examines the grounds of decision-making
2. Situates knowledge in historical and geographic contexts
3. Uncovers power and knowledge relationships
4. Challenges existing categories of thought

Tenets of Critical Geography

• Oppositional and Activist:
  • Focus on inequality and tangible changes
• Theoretical:
  • Rejects positivism; embraces critical theory

History of Critical Mapping

• Notable Figures and Projects:
  • Charles Booth, Florence Kelly, W.E.B. DuBois
  • Detroit Geographic Expedition and Institute
  • Appalachian Land Ownership Survey
  • Birth of environmental justice

Pitfalls of Participatory Mapping

• The Bowman Expeditions:
  • Misuse of participatory mapping funded by the military
  • Ethical issues with data sharing and military involvement
• Conclusion:
  • Participatory methods can be repurposed for repressive ends
  • Emphasizes the need for critical awareness in mapping projects