Opportunity mapping
A mapping technique used to geographically identify (within communities) the areas where opportunities are available as well as lacking in order to promote economic well-being.
“Opportunity mapping uses various data sources to show segregation patterns and to help us see how these patterns affect individuals’ abilities to access amenities and services that help promote economic well-being.”
Nature & context
Design Anthropology, User Research, Data Analysis
Resources
Stationery specially paper and markers for participant to draw the map, recorder, camera, facilitator (if required).
Procedure
Before: Gather and segregate data sources that are to be referred to understand opportunity points for the community. Data sources that has to be included are participatory and cognitive maps generated by the community members. Understand the geography of the community to ensure that the opportunities are mapped to the right location.
During: Identify concerns raised by the community members like lack of access to facilities, lack of inclusiveness etc. Geographically map out the opportunities as a solution for the concerns raised.
After: Since the mission is to use the opportunity map towards the well being of the community, conduct a review session with the members of the community to ensure that the generated opportunities are what they actually desire.
Use Case
The initial research of designing for waste management in Bloomington community involved participatory mapping, where we engaged in a mapping session with Cheryl. While the activity involved mapping out the community practices, Cheryl discussed about the issue of "2-mile" fringe, where members of the Bloomington community, outside the 2-mile fringe are deprived of facilities that the rest of Bloomington community can access. Consecutively, we also had another participant during a different mapping session describe a similar scenario. I believe using an opportunity map to map out these issues could have given us effective solutions to be deployed within the community.
Sense Making Data
The most important area of focus is the map generated as well as the opportunity points that will help in the well being of the community.