3.3 Mapping the Community
Community asset mapping. What is it?
Asset mapping is the process of identifying and documenting a community’s assets (e.g.: community centers, food banks, grocery stores, libraries, etc.). The output of this work is typically a map – be it physical or digital – that captures what was learned about the community’s resources in a format that is easy for the general public to understand (and, in the case of digital maps, engage with).
Example of a community asset map from Bucks County https://www.trinityhealthma.org/community-benefit/st-mary-community-ministries/food-insecurity-initiative
In many ways, the process of building an asset map is just as important as the map itself. That’s because the creation of a community asset map requires direct engagement with community members. It also requires consensus-building around what exists, what is useful, and what is needed (i.e.: where the gaps in resources are or the barriers to accessing them). By engaging the community in the process of identifying existing or missing community assets, you can help generate a shared awareness and understanding of your community’s resources. This is a great way to facilitate community involvement in research, decision-making, and action.
When leading a community asset mapping project, you will want to ensure you have set out some clear objectives for what you want to achieve. It’s important to recognize that both the process of asset mapping and the map itself can be strategic tools to help you achieve both the social and financial goals of your market. Before beginning this activity, however, you will want to be clear on the objectives. Ask yourself: What is the purpose of the community asset mapping activity?
You can use asset mapping to:
- Expand the reach of your market into new neighborhoods
- Identify which resources are used by the community and why
- Identify which resources are missing from the community
- Build relationships with your community members focused around the improvement of resources
- Identify and illustrate the existing or potential connections between groups, organizations, and institutions
- Advocate for your community and make a case to governments for new policies or policy changes
- Empower community outreach groups to maintain and use the map to further their cause
Source: https://communityscience.com/
In the next module, we’ll take you through the process of creating your own community asset map, but before you dive right in take a look at some examples of community asset mapping that will help provide some inspiration:
Vancouver Food Asset Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XEmhBp-1P0xxH7ZPFMc76sBFb2U&ll=49.21621812874099%2C-123.11773751571657&z=14
Activity: Now that you have learned about community asset mapping, think about how you would use this tool to achieve your market’s objectives. Share your thoughts with the community.