Deputy Mayor Wutisak
Rermkitkarn (center) and Ms. Pannee Limcharoen (to his right) discuss a
community foot-mapping project with local officials.
Warunya Thongrod
Five Pattaya neighborhoods have been chosen to be mapped on foot
as part of a Social Development Department to get a better sociological
view of each community.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn, and department director, Pannee
Limcharoen, unveiled the foot-mapping pilot project for the Chumsai, Lan
Po, Nern Thangrodfai, Nong Phang Khae and Rongmaikheed communities at a
Feb. 27 meeting with representatives from Pattaya’s 42 neighborhoods at
city hall.
At the meeting, officials also unveiled the calendar of city-sponsored
events for the first half of 2014. Events include a dharma “mind
development” project, mobile government service March 13-14 at Pattaya
School No. 2, a “benefactor search” program, various sports and
recreational events.
It’s the foot-mapping project, however, that excited most of the
meeting’s participants. The project dates are March 31 in Lan Po,
Rongmaikheed on April 1, Chumsai on April 2, Nern Thangrodfai on April 3
and Nongphangkhae on April 4.
A foot map of a community is a map originated from inspection of
physical space and community environment, information that can only be
obtained through observation and contact with each household in a
community.
They differ from conventional table maps in that they are not copied or
retrieved from existing information. Making of a foot map is important
because it is deemed the best and fastest picture that can give a
complete view of the community and also provides most information within
a short period of time due to detailed study covering all areas of the
community. It is not limited to only areas frequented by officers or
easily accessed areas.
The importance of making a foot map is not getting a complete map but a
map that allows viewing and understanding social meaning and social
functions of those physical space, officials explained.
Full understanding of social meaning of the physical space will only be
achieved upon personal observation such as wells in communities. It
shows not only the presence of a well, but what it is used for. Hence,
one learns the social function of the well.
