Community Mapping

A mapping tool and workshop proposal

This project aims at providing an online resource for digital 'self-mapping' by communities. Aware of the power relations inherent in any map the goal is to maximise the potential of self-empowerment of the users of this tool. The tool itself is designed to be as neutral as possible. The users decide in which way they want to 'question' their relation to the environment. The example provided is a dummy version of a 'fear map' for Southampton. Users might want to draw other maps. An example that came to my mind earlier was a 'kisses map': users would place a dot on the map where they once exchanged kisses. But the range of possible topics is wide.

In an initial state the map would be blank and the dots would not be associated with any particular meaning. Participants in workshops would first decide as a group which topic to choose. Then they would associate meanings with colors and finally they would place the dots on the map. The colors interact with each other; two red dots next to each other strengthen the red, a blue or green dot in the neighborhood weakens it -- the colors mix as a result. Over time intersubjective psychogeagraphical 'color temperature maps are generated by participants.

The basic map has an underlying grid which is at this stage unrelated to the Ordnance Survey grid. The exact geographical location is not so important in this case. Too many new media arts project now fall for the temptation of working with the GPS system, a military technology based on satellites. This mapping system is for strictly civilian use only. It should provide a means of reflecting on the psychogeography of a cityscape. Maps will be produced by different user groups in workshops. Maps by individuals about the same topic can be layered above each other. The dots are also connected to entries in a database where users add comments, explanations, pictures or sound through a web-based system for entering information and uploading files. The project is at this stage a design concept study. Further considerations are to be given to the possibility of including some landmarks into the map for better orientation, the issue of overlaying dots, additional features such as zooming in and the possibility of working with real geographical information systems data.

Check out the prototype: http://daveatron.com/ports

idea/concept: Armin Medosch, design: yippieyeah, basic map: Jay Dunford, programming: Dave Mee

Design study 1: Fear Map

Design study 2: Fear Map Zoom