Mapping of urban geoheritage in city of Liberec using participatory research
Mapping of urban geoheritage in city of Liberec using participatory research

Author(s): Emil Drápela
Subject(s): Environmental Geography, Maps / Cartography, Rural and urban sociology, Tourism
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: urban geotourism; educational trail; geoheritage; participatory research; GIS; geosites;
Summary/Abstract: 2019, in order to create an urban geoheritage trail in Liberec, it was mapped in the wider city centre. Considering the vastness of the area, mapping was carried out by volunteers who were interested in topic of popularization of geology but did not have the expertise of geological knowledge. This lack of expertise may seem to be a significant limiting factor, but in fact, it is a positive thing, as the knowledge of the mapping volunteer is at a similar (low) level to the future user of the educational trail. Thus, in the evaluation of geosites, the expert-layman barrier is eliminated and the benefit is the feedback of the future user. However, participatory research has its own specifics, which must be adapted to the methodology used. First, it is to ensure the homogeneity of the data that is collected by a large number of volunteers and which can be influenced by subjective influences. Furthermore, it is their professional value and practical application. Finally, yet importantly, the technical parameters of data that will be further processed in GIS. This paper describes the research methodology used and summarizes the experience with the use of participatory research for the purpose of mapping urban geoheritage in Liberec.

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