Collaborative Mapping as a Tool for Citizen Participation: A Case of Cultural Heritage Management in Rural Areas

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This article deals with a remarkably interesting topic, namely the research on the role of citizens in the construction of knowledge. This article research is based on the highlight of creation of methodologies to involve citizens as active agents who must be involved in decision making concerning the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage. The article title “Collaborative mapping as a tool for citizen participation. A case of cultural heritage management in rural areas.” accurately reflects the content and purpose of the paper. This article also presents the use and development of a geo-viewer which forms part of a context of proactive management, together with the design of other strategies for innovation in the intervention, management and communication of the dispersed heritage existing in the rural areas of Andalusia. The abstract is concise and provides sufficient information. The keywords are adequate. The introduction section presents a very good framework which locates well the work and a good literature review to support it as well. The article describes very well the methodology and research methods. The results are consistent and represent a contribution to a better knowledge of the use the role of citizens in the construction of knowledge regarding Cultural Heritage. The work is publishable as it is. Thus, the article can be accepted.

Author Response

The authors would like to thank reviewer 1 for his/her careful reading of the manuscript, as well as for the very positive comments. In any case, we have made a final review of the content to look for minor errors and possible writing improvements.

Reviewer 2 Report

A very interesting project in a very important field that still needs to be improved in any countries. The structure of the article is clear and well exposed. The methods and the tools are well described and refers to several recent experiences. I suggest the authors to dedicate some further publications to the results of this data collection, to strength the value of the citizen contribution in the heritage protection.

Author Response

The authors would like to thank reviewer 2 for his/her careful reading of the manuscript, as well as for the very positive comments. In any case, we have made a final review of the content to look for minor errors and possible writing improvements. We will try to publish the results of this data collection in the future, as suggested.