Aux cartes citoyens. La démocratie par les cartes

Abstract

Maps, powerful images which render diverse and complex data visible and simple, have a natural vocation to be used as a medium for discussion on area planning and development actions, and as such to be a privileged tool for democracy. Several experiences in local bodies in France as well as in development institutions in India have demonstrated that the use of maps and visual matrices as an aid for decision is considered dangerous most of the time. Efficient, they reveal spatial unbalances, power stakes and of course corruption. We present some of these experiences which have a stake in democracy and its transparency so much talked about but so little practiced.

Keywords

• cartography
• semiology