Census Mapping in the Caribbean: A Geospatial Approach

This book captures my experience working with Caricom (The Caribbean Community Secretariat) countries in 2009 and 2010 in preparation for the 2010 World Census. I was tasked with assisting governments of Caricom member states to develop tools to execute the Census in most accurate and cost efficient manner and to rapidly initiate a path for the use of the contemporary ICT tools within the area of geography. I conducted country-specific Geographic Information System (Gis) technical evaluation and assistance missions to 19 Caricom member countries to build capacity of staff and speed up the relevant country office processes in time for the 2010 Census. Each Gis visit presented unique challenges and different needs depending on the stage of census mapping development. As part of these visits, the specific needs of the Gis personnel from various agencies in each country were targeted. As the result, the abilities of national agencies were significantly enhanced by developing and strengthening their Gis infrastructure. Also, national and regional census offices were assisted in terms of advancing geographic information as a critical discipline within the area of statistics and across other government agencies.
For some time Caribbean governments had been attempting to move towards a modernized way to conduct the census, using more efficient and effective methods. This desire was fueled by the need to increase efficiency and the need for more reliable data with several National Statistics Offices seeking better ways to collect and disseminate information. In wanting to improve and modernize the newest generation of maps in the region, the development and use of a Geographic Information System was becoming a key component in moving forward. If implemented correctly, the use of Gis technologies would enable National Statistics Offices to create new products as well as automate various map creation processes.
With the exception of a few countries (for example St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago) most Caricom countries had never established a permanent mapping unit in their statistical departments and instead relied on assistance from their resident Lands and Surveys or Urban Planning Departments. This was problematic since it hindered the development of spatially referenced datasets specific to census mapping and other geostatistical outputs and activities in the region.
Historically, most Caricom Member States began their mapping programs approximately one year before the census. Since my assistance visits would not begin until November 2009 most countries were well into preparation work. In order to be of best use, I had to see what database development processes would work in conjunction with and complement the activities already set in motion by the time I arrived to produce the most useful census maps in the time left. It was critical to me that my evaluation did not disturb the immediate goals of the census or put a strain on countries’ existing resources.
As every country was at a different stage of preparation for the census with many activities going on simultaneously, I had to work closely with statistics officers and practitioners at local, national, and international levels to integrate the standards, methods and practices that would help them conduct the 2010 Census effectively while achieving the most accurate results. To accomplish this, I focused on the production and preparation of census Enumeration District maps and support of the development of Gis in the region, which enabled effective dissemination of the data collected.