Tool Name: Mobility Mapping
What is it?        Mobility mapping is a visual representation of people’s movements
                   within and outside their community.
What can it be     The tool can identify issues and problems related to socially
used for?          differentiated mobility and access to resources (such as land, water,
                   health, and education services; information; capital; and decision
                   making).
What does it tell  • Socially differentiated mobility within and outside a community can
you?                   indicate differing levels of freedom, wealth, empowerment, and
                       rights.
                   • Mapping can show the economic, social, and political causes and
                       impacts of socially differentiated mobility.
Complementary      Community resource mapping, social mapping
tools
Key elements       The participatory data generating process identifies local perceptions
                   of people’s mobility/movements.
Requirements
 Data/information  This tool generates data and information; the only prior information
                   required is for sampling analysts.
 Time              1.5 to 2 hours
 Skills            Good participatory facilitation and social analytical skills; a natural
                   resource disciplinary background is useful.
 Supporting        No software needed.
 software
 Financial cost    This tool will cost $30,000 to $100,00 if conducted as part of a
                   participatory study, depending on the number of communities sampled
                   and the geographical scope of the study
Limitations        Some mobility or movement issues (such as women’s mobility) might
                   be sensitive in some local contexts.
References and     Berg C., et al. Introduction of a Participatory and Integrated
applications       Development Process (PIDEP) in Kalomo District, Zambia; Volume II:
                   Manual for Trainers and Users of PIDEP.
                   http://www.fao.org/Participation/tools/mobilitymap_545.html.

                    MekongInfo is an interactive system for sharing information and
                    knowledge about participatory natural resource management (NRM) in
                    the Lower Mekong Basin. www.mekonginfo.org.

                    Rock, F., ed. 2001. Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP) in Rural
                    Cambodia. Annex 11. Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning
                    and Construction (MLMUPC), Cambodia.
                    http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/doclib.nsf/0/BA7AA16ECF97B1424
                    7256BC90030DFF1/$FILE/Annex11.html.

                    RUAF (Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security).
                    2004. PRA Tools for Studying Urban Agriculture and Gender.
                    http://www.ruaf.org/ruafpublications.html#gender2.




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Mobility Mapping: Procedures and Examples

Time, Materials, and Skills Needed
Approximately one hour should be allowed to produce and analyze a mobility map
and to ensure that a full discussion occurs with local analysts.

Markers and large sheets of paper are required. Notebooks/paper and pens are needed
to make a copy of the diagram and for the note-taker to record the discussion during
the diagram development.

The discussion group will include a facilitator, observer/note-taker, and selected local
analysts. The facilitator and observer/note-taker should be experienced in the
principles behind the use of participatory tools and methods in addition to their
practical use.

Possible Approach
The following approach is a general example that can be adapted to suit the local
context, views of local analysts, and the research objectives.

Step 1: Select Local Analysts. Identify the groups of people to talk to about
mobility issues. These decisions will be based on the objectives and depth of
information required for the research. At a basic level, it might be necessary to have
separate groups by gender because women and men might perceive the importance
and relevance of institutions in different ways. It might also be appropriate to break
the population down into further categories (such as ethnicity, well-being, or caste).
Groups of five to twelve local analysts should reflect any relevant and important
social divisions. These decisions will be based on the objectives and depth of
information required for the research.

Step 2: Provide Introductions and Explanations. When working with each
group, the facilitator and observer/note-taker should begin by introducing themselves
and explaining carefully and clearly the objectives of the discussion. Check that the
local analysts understand and feel comfortable with what will be discussed.

Step 3: Produce a Mobility Map. Ask local analysts to draw a map of all the
places within and outside the community that they visit. These places could be names
of other towns or where services are available (such as a well, market, school, rural
health center, and so on). Ensure that the group has common agreement on what is
drawn on the map. The map does not need to be to scale, but distances could be added
alongside the lines between place names if necessary. Another option is to indicate the
perceived relative importance of each place by using different size labels for each
place name.

Ask how many times they visit these places each month and for what reasons (health,
shopping, marketing, education, and so on). Use different types of lines (such as dots,
dashes, different colors) to indicate the purpose and frequency of visits. Frequency
could be indicated by the thickness of the line. Ensure that the different types of lines
are clearly explained on the map.




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A useful alternative is to include places where people come from on the map. For
example, significant migration into the area from outside could be indicated on the
map. Arrows to indicate directions could be included on the lines that connect place
names.

Step 4: Analyze Mobility Maps. After the map has been completed, it can be used
while conducting semi-structured interviews on topics of interest and for enabling
local analysts to conduct their own discussions and analysis. These discussions should
be noted or recorded. It might be useful to have a list of key questions to guide a
discussion about mobility. For example, are there seasonal variations in where people
travel? What types of transport are used for certain journeys, especially for those that
take them to the places farther away? What are the economic, social and political
causes and impacts of their mobility patterns? How might a particular policy
intervention impact these mobility patterns?

If local analysts have sufficient time, it might be useful to ask them to draw a series of
maps to illustrate changes over time.

If there are several different groups, ask each group to present its map to the others for
reactions and comments. Are there any serious disagreements? If so, note these and
whether a consensus is reached.

Step 5: Conclude the Activity. Check again that the analysts know how the
information will be used. Ask the analysts to reflect on the advantages, disadvantages,
and the analytical potential of the tool. Thank the local analysts for their time and
effort.

Points to Remember
Good facilitation skills are key. The approach outlined above is a general guide; be
flexible and adapt the tool and approach to local contexts and needs.




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