A definition of Spatial Citizenship and components of geography

1. Education for Spatial
Citizenship
Where does Geography stand?
Karl Donert, President, EUROGEO
National Teaching Fellow
Liverpool Hope University, UK

2. Education for
Spatial Citizenship
Three questions (and bylines)
1. What is citizenship about?
(How do we become citizens?)
2. Spatial citizenship, responsible
citizens? (Citizenship and learning)
3. What is spatial about Citizenship?
(Where does Geography stand?)

3. Education for Spatial
Citizenship: where does
Geography stand?
What is citizenship about?
How do we
become
citizens?

4. Citizenship: meanings (EC, 2003)
Citizenship is said to consist of two aspects:
1. “Until recently, the concept of citizenship has been
more commonly understood in rather static and
institutionally dominated terms:
being a citizen was primarily a question of the
legalities of entitlements and their political
expression in democratic policies.”
European Commission (2003), Learning for Active Citizenship, http://europa.eu.int/comm/
education/citizen/citiz-en.html, accessed 3/12/2008

5. Citizenship: meanings (EC, 2003)
2. “…. learning to live positively with difference and
diversity is becoming a core dimension of the
practice of citizenship in Europe. It equally means
that the concept of citizenship itself is shifting to a
broader based notion, in which legal and social
rights and entitlements continue to furnish an
essential element, but in which negotiated and
culturally-based understandings of citizenship are
becoming more prominent.”
European Commission (2003), Learning for Active Citizenship, http://europa.eu.int/comm/
education/citizen/citiz-en.html, accessed 3/12/2008

6. participation
engagement
empowerment
http://www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk

7. http://www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk

8. Social constructionism
• SC is an approach that emphasises the
creative activity of individuals and groups
• Cultural citizenship and identity, stress
the process of spreading certain values
and constructing more suitable
institutions
• Constructing our citizenship
Juan M. Delgado-Moreira, 1997, Social constructionism, Electronic Journal of Sociology, 2 (3),
http://www.sociology.org/vol002.003/delgado-moreira.article.1997.html, accessed 3/12/2008

9. Some social constructionist values
• "Unity in diversity" ….. tolerance ...
• Promote the idea of identity BUT ALSO
• Richness of cultural diversity
• Belonging to (being part of) a wider whole (Fatih,
Istanbul, Turkish, Asian / European)
• Developed through cultural actions i.e. activities
demonstrating aspects of culture
• Selection of identity through our sense of place
• … through our history and our geography
Juan M. Delgado-Moreira, 1997 Electronic Journal of Sociology, 2 (3), http://
www.sociology.org/vol002.003/delgado-moreira.article.1997.html, accessed 3/12/2008

10. Becoming a citizen
More questions than answers
• Acquired or are we born with it?
• Is there a process to becoming a citizen?
• Is it active or passive?
• What are the stages involved?
• We should be asking what role(s) does /
can geographical education play?

11. Education for Spatial
Citizenship: where does
Geography stand?
Spatial citizenship and
responsible citizens?
Citizenship and
Learning

12. Spatial Citizenship
Spatial Citizenship (Gryl, Jekel and Donert, 2010)
Derives from the need for:
• improved spatial thinking and acquisition of
spatial competences (Paasi, 1986)
Our concerns for:
• the social appropriation of space (Werlen 1995)
• representations of space (Lefebvre, 1993)
• media-rich society (Schlottmann & Miggelbrink 2009)
12
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R, Learning
with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

13. Spatial Citizenship
reflected or mutual
Spatial Citizenship appropriation
of space
• Concerned with appropriation (ownership) of
space (Werlen 1993, Paasi 1986)
• Importance of spatial representations in the
social production of space
• Attaching meaning to space
- either acceptance of existing meaning
- or changing / re-interpreting meaning
Paasi, A. (1996) Territories, Boundaries and Consciousness. The Changing Geographies of the Finnish Russian
Border. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Werlen, B. (1993), Society, Action, Space, An Alternative Human Geography, London, Routledge

14. Spatial Citizenship
reflected or mutual
Negotiation process: appropriation
of space
• Communication of alternative meanings –
counter maps (Turnbull, 1998; Crampton, 2009)
• Deconstruction of meaning in geomedia
(Harley, 2001; Gregory, 1994)
• Taking control – gaining power
• Transformative – participative – making a difference
Crampton, J. W. (2009). Cartography: maps 2.0. In: Progress in Human Geography, 33, 2, pp. 99-100.
Gregory, D. (1994), Geographical Imaginations. Cambridge: Blackwell
Harley, J. B. (2001), Deconstructing the Map. In: Harley, J. B. und Laxton, P. (Hrsg., 2001): The New Nature of Maps. Essays in the
History of Cartography. Baltimore:John Hopkins University Press, S. 422-443
Turnbull, D. 1998. Mapping Encounters and (En)Countering Maps: A Critical Examination of Cartographic Resistance. Knowledge
and Society 11:15-44

15. The Spatial
Citizen
(based on Strobl 2008:134)
15
Strobl, J. (04.07.2008) Geospatial Qualifications: Schools, Citizens and Professionals. Vortrag: GI-Forum 2008 (Salzburg University,
Z_GIS Centre for Geoinformatics), Salzburg/AUSTRIA.

16. Spatial Citizenship
Spatial citizenship (Gryl, Jekel and Donert, 2010)
• “A Spatial Citizen ….. should be able to interpret
and critically reflect on spatial representations,
communicate with the aid of maps and other spatial
representations, and … express location-specific
opinions using geo-media.
• Spatial Communication …. should therefore be a
main target for primary and secondary education.”
16
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R, Learning
with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

17. Spatial Citizenship
Spatial citizenship (Gryl, Jekel and Donert, 2010)
Spatial citizenship “connects …. citizenship
education with a mature appreciation of space
and critical geoinformation …..
Specific strategies need to be developed …. that go
beyond technical competences widely reproduced
in many curricula.”
17
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R, Learning
with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

18. Spatial Citizenship
Spatial citizenship (Gryl, Jekel and Donert, 2010)
Learners
• “….. need to deconstruct meanings of space in
their chosen geomedia …...
• ….. re-construct and communicate their own
world views…..”
18
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R, Learning
with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

19. Community perspectives

20. Activity spaces
<http://map.jena.de/stplan/stadtplan/start.php>

21. Spatial Citizenship
Four SC features (Donert, 2008)
1. Constructivist
– learners actively construct their citizenship
– stresses active participation and interaction
2. Intercultural
– diversity – in ideas, values and behaviours
3. Built on dialogue
– negotiation - the appropriation of space
– empowerment - participate in the debate about the kind of future
society we need to create
4. Technological – geoinformation and the citizen
Donert K (2008), Examining the relationship between Citizenship and Geography Education, 73-92, in Lambrinos
21
N and Reliou M (Eds.), European Geography Education: the challenges of a new era, Arlington, W Virginia,
National Council for Geographic Education

22. Education for Spatial
Citizenship
What is Spatial about
Citizenship?
Where does
Geography stand?

23. ICT and
Citizenship
Integrating Citizenship in the
learning process (Matache and Donert, 2002)
DEGREE of
• gather, sort and sift information Active Spatial
• share and collaborate Citizenship
• reflection in appropriate learning situations
• search for knowledge and understanding
• critical opinions and ideas develop
• communicate to express views with others
• promote actions of responsible citizens Enquiry Skills
Matache M and Donert K (2002), Environmental Education in Europe, Proc. 3rd European
Conference E-COMM-LINE 2002, Bucharest, September 26-27, 2002

24. Spatial Citizenship
Competences and spatial
citizenship
24
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R,
Learning with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

25. Spatial Citizenship
Deconstruct imagery,
media and maps

26. Deconstruct
imagery, media
and maps

27. Deconstruct
imagery, media
and maps

28. Deconstruct
imagery, media
and maps

29. SC competences
• to KNOW about the construction of geomedia
• to RECOGNISE the construction of certain geomedia
• to COMPARE the perspective of certain geomedia with
external information and previous knowledge
• to IDENTIFY the intentionality of the use of geomedia in
discourses, by reflection from multiple perspectives with the
help of DECONSTRUCTION
29
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K and Koller A, Learning with
GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

30. Competences and spatial
citizenship
30
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K and Koller A, Learning with
GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

31. SC competences
• to FORMULATE alternative spatial scenarios
• to NEGOTIATE alternative scenarios (with
respect to different interests in democratic decision
making processes)
• to COMMUNICATE alternative meanings with
geomedia
31
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K and Koller A, Learning with
GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

32. Spatial Citizenship
Competences and spatial
citizenship
32
Donert K, Gryl I and Jekel T (2010), GI & Spatial Citizenship, In Jekel T, Donert K, Koller A and Vogler R,
Learning with GeoInformation V, Berlin, Wichman Verlag

33. ICT and
Citizenship
ICT and Spatial Citizenship?
• ICT offers valuable geo-tools for spatial citizens
– technology provides potent tools, solutions to
complex problems, global communication
– empowerment in learning to excite and fascinate us
• teachers act as gatekeepers
• In education
– need sound pedagogy and good classroom practice
– must be used to enhance learning processes

34. ICT and Spatial
ICT and
Citizenship
Citizenship

35. What do young people identify with?
how to get more active engagement in society?

36. Citizenship and Youth Culture
• Graffiti – gangs - tribes
• Computer games – simulations

37. Citizenship and Youth Culture
• music, skateboards and mobile phones
• WWW, television and ….. ?

38. Image of being a citizen
• research suggests most young people develop their
images through three main channels:
– public opinion and mass culture
– the individual from his/her direct experiences
– information presented by education, scientific
institutions and teachers
Who has the responsibility?
Where does the burden lie?

39. Learning and Spatial Citizenship
• teacher provides tools for learning and
approaches for knowledge creation
• spatial communication provides opportunities
to express and share ideas with others
• students in control of their own approach to
SC
• students relate ideas to their own experiences
and establish their own needs

40. Glacial Retreat
Project (2008-9)

41. Formal and informal presentation modes

42. Participative GIS
Participative
framework

43. Participative
user
interfaces

44. Education for Spatial Citizenship
• “….. is about enriching lives by
considering the wonders of our world, its
environments and its peoples …..
• with an emphasis on transformative
learning …….
• to establish a more holistic personal
view.”
Donert K (2008), Examining the relationship between Citizenship and Geography Education, 73-92,
in Lambrinos N and Reliou M (Eds.), European Geography Education: the challenges of a new era,
Arlington, W Virginia, National Council for Geographic Education

45. Education for Spatial
Citizenship: where does
Geography stand?
Conclusions
Education for
Spatial
Citizenship

46. Citizenship: a reality check for
Geography
• Council of Europe – Education for Democratic
Citizenship Project
• History Unit – Social Studies
• Where was/is Geography?
• Same in most other contexts/agencies
• Need to promote Education for Spatial Citizenship
for all

47. Conclusions
(Spatial Citizenship conference track-Salzburg 2010)
• The present (future) is ‘spatial’ – geographic
information is all around us
• Technology is (almost) ubiquitous – changing at an
ever-increasing rate
• Spatial citizenship is happening (case studies)
• Change in Education is blocked - teachers, teacher
education, curriculum etc.

48. Conclusions
(Spatial Citizenship conference track-Salzburg 2010)
Everyone needs to be a spatial citizen
• Q. How?
A. Need to develop contexts for change
• Q. Whose task?
A. An important role for Geography/geographers
• Q. Who? Which organisations?
In Europe – EUROGEO - challenge to the IGU(-CGE)
and other organisations

49. Conclusions (Vallega, 2008)
Three global processes concerning Geography
1. expanding interaction between local and
global systems……
a geography-relevant ontological dimension
of global change
Vallega A (2008), Ten Theses on IGU, Strategy and Actions, International Geographical Union Report
2004-2006, IGU, http://www.igu-net.org/uk/documents_download/INFORME%20UGI%2004-08.pdf

50. Conclusions (Vallega, 2008)
2. global networks in research and education -
global visions and representations of the
Earth and the world - disseminating those
visions and representations throughout the
human community
…… a cultural dimension of global change
Vallega A (2008), Ten Theses on IGU, Strategy and Actions, International Geographical Union Report
2004-2006, IGU, http://www.igu-net.org/uk/documents_download/INFORME%20UGI%2004-08.pdf

51. Conclusions (Vallega, 2008)
3. global information and communications
technologies have improved markedly -
global village - tracing a plurality of dividing
lines within it……..
the technical dimension of global change
Vallega A (2008), Ten Theses on IGU, Strategy and Actions, International Geographical Union Report
2004-2006, IGU, http://www.igu-net.org/uk/documents_download/INFORME%20UGI%2004-08.pdf

52. Conclusions (Vallega, 2008)
Geographers need to:
• be much more effective in today’s globalised
scientific world
• increase their willingness and flexibility to
communicate externally
• expand dialogue and host discussions and
initiatives from the entire geographic community.
Vallega A (2008), Ten Theses on IGU, Strategy and Actions, International Geographical Union Report
2004-2006, IGU, http://www.igu-net.org/uk/documents_download/INFORME%20UGI%2004-08.pdf

53. Conclusion
Education for Spatial Citizenship
offers us a vehicle to do this