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The growth and popularity of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has led to growth in map availability with increasing ease of use. As more and more people become familiar with GIS programs, they can make maps for recreational uses. Map websites for the public include Greemap.org and Google Maps. Both of these sources allow the public to contribute points of interest to a community map, creating a new visual angle on civic engagement and crowdsourced data.
Greenmap.org has a community focus emphasizing three types of amenities in an area: cultural resources, green living, and nature. Once a person or entity registers (for free), they can add a point by choosing from a huge list of icons, including: wind energy site, farmers market, eco-spiritual site, water recycling center, and many others. These icons are then plotted on an interactive map. Google Maps is another mapping resource that can be used to promote the cultural amenities within an area. The advantage of this option is the Google database of addresses, phone numbers, and directions, pervasiveness of the platform, and the increased functionality Google has been building over the last few years.
These resources are incredible pieces of technology on their face, but the important question to ask when dealing with these tools in a civic capacity is how they are used. Here are a few examples:
Eco-Tourism
New York City has been able to increase its tourism through offering green amenities, pushing their own internal standards for sustainability. The creation of their green map identifies green buildings throughout the city, multimodal transportation routes and options, and natural amenities – such as kayaking along the Hudson River. Wendy Brawer of Green Maps enterprise is one New Yorker who confirms her city's eco-offerings—pointing out amenities such as amazing bike trails, the biomass-powered Liberty Island, community gardens and progressive initiatives such as Sustainable South Bronx. In this case, the open green map is able to capture and disseminate information about amenities that may not generally be associated with a particular city.
Local Database
The general function of maps first and foremost is to provide the community with large aggregate of specific location data, while simultaneously showing the bigger picture of the area. Local communities can produce a map calling attention to the negative aspects of the neighborhood to solicit solutions and ideas towards solving those problems. Excellent examples can include Brownfields or high crime spots. Illustrating the positive aspects visually can provide both long term residents and visitors to a community a look at amenities offered locally. Urban neighborhoods that have created a visual path towards sustainability have the additional bonus of attracting new residents.
Community Involvement
The process of map creation is one of selectivity. There are many ideas and perspectives within a group of local residents, and maps can provide a great visual tool for guiding discussions and involving the community in both planning efforts and showcasing what is important. Interviews, focus groups, and block meetings provide mapmakers with the details of what to include in a map.
The Future of Community Maps
While the expected growth of map-making formats continues, the app market has connected maps to specific topics too—from apps that allow us to find the location and information about parks in the immediate area to ones that give us access to interesting demographics of the residents of our neighborhood. As technology continues to improve, we’ll find additional ways to make maps and the data within them more useful—and hopefully more useable by cities, for cities.
Written by Maria Agosto