The Programme d’Appui aux Collectivités Territoriales (PACT)1 in Mali
supports rural municipalities in the decentralization process qualifying
local representatives and civil society to take over new functions.
The program helps selected municipalities to set up a transparent and
participatory local socio-economic development planning system according
to the national requirements. So far, spatial aspects had been
left out in development planning in Mali. Recently, PACT started to
introduce the spatial dimension into local socio-economic development
planning. Several thematic maps of the municipality are prepared indicating
the location of technical and social infrastructure as a result of an
assessment in the municipality. Based on these maps, one very simple
municipal map is prepared showing all villages symbolized by a simple
cross and accompanied by symbols representing the existing infrastructure.
In those municipalities for which satellite images are available,
the map is derived from them and exists in digital form. In other cases
it is prepared by hand in form of a sketch map. This map is now used in
the planning process during the discussions on necessary investments.
The map facilitates the discussion and makes it easier for the decisionmakers
to identify what is needed and where it is needed. Necessary
investments can be better prioritized.