Several transformations are taking place in rural areas, emphasizing the significance of comprehending the people's perceptions of place. This paper outlines a methodical strategy that integrates participatory GIS and scenario planning workshops to investigate transformations and potential impacts in rural areas. The methodology comprises an open-ended, inductive knowledge process utilized in two workshops. Workshop 1 involves the development and aggregation of driving factors into potential scenarios, whereas Workshop 2 includes the mapping and weighting of scenarios based on the probability of occurrence and strength of impact on the rural area. Although the outcomes are rooted in a relational comprehension of human–environmental factors, a theoretical framework of location-based information is required for further research to entirely understand the mechanisms supporting the emergence of transformative rural areas.