Public Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) is a map-based survey method enabling citizens to contribute geographic and non-geographic information for planning and research. Originating in the 1990s, PPGIS emerged to democratize GIS and integrate community participation. It promotes inclusive,
transparent decision-making and policy development through visualization and interactive mapping. As government services increasingly shift to digital platforms, citizens’ voices and opinions must also transition digitally, influencing both decision-making and implementation. For instance, in urban redevelopment, PPGIS can be used to conduct map-based questionnaires, collect and classify data, and serve not only as a planning tool but also as a digital communication platform between citizens and planners.
The Leafmap Python package meets these criteria by enabling interactive, low-code spatial analysis, surveys, and public engagement in planning processes.