Abstract:
The spatialization of geographical phenomena is now based on geomatics methods and tools.
This trend, which has become widespread in research circles, invites us, beyond the rendering of
results, to question their relevance. Indeed, the results thus obtained are far from being realistic
for reasons related to the quality of the analysis data but especially to the choice of the levels of
observation. These weaknesses impose on African geographers in general and Cameroonians in
particular, a paradigm shift. Instead of the work of a researcher/engineer-expert imposing a
vertical vision of the territory, an approach that reverses the process could make it possible to
reposition local populations in the production and spatialization of geographic information. No
one better than the latter could understand and assess the constraints and vulnerabilities they
face. Participatory mapping as a methodological journey integrates spoken language into a map,
with the aim of giving substance to the voices of those who are poorly represented or not very
visible, thereby facilitating dialogue and negotiations. Faced with what could be considered as
drifts of the all-digital, is it relevant to entrust the pencil to the actors who practice the territories
subjected to the phenomena subject to geographical representation? This study focuses on the
development of a methodological framework for participatory mapping, based on the example of
the risk of flooding in a watershed of the city of Douala. The envisaged approach is made
possible thanks to semi-structured interviews based on the model of cartographic discussion
groups. It emerges from this experience that the methodological approach of participatory
mapping is feasible, reliable, less restrictive and moreover reproductive in several territories. |
