Community Participation and Web Mapping with Open Source Technologies: An Approach to the Identification and Dissemination of Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Analco, Mexico

Abstract. The integration of web mapping with Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) can provide a powerful tool for the identification, documentation, preservation, and promotion of cultural manifestations in a given location. Web mapping enables the creation of interactive and accessible maps that dynamically and visually represent geographic and cultural information. As part of a doctoral research project, we designed and developed a web application to disseminate the ICH of the Analco neighborhood in Puebla, Mexico, a site included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Through a community-based participatory process, supported by participatory mapping and the integration of other data sources, we implemented a pilot project for a web mapping tool using technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and LeafletJS. The resulting project was deployed on a test server, the tool was presented to the community, which, in a free, informed, and collaborative manner, authorized the dissemination of their cultural information to other interested parties, leveraging the advantages of the internet to promote their heritage. The initial version was positively evaluated by the community in terms of design, functionality, and usability, though it was concluded that additional multimedia content generated by the community is needed. We found that web mapping, combined with community participation through participatory mapping, offers an innovative and effective approach to preserving and promoting cultural traditions. By leveraging open-source technologies and fostering active collaboration, communities can ensure that their cultural heritage is recognized, valued, and transmitted to future generations in a dynamic and interactive manner.