Shriya Malhotra explores the potential for participatory mapping to manage the complexities of cities in the 21st century.
As the urban population explodes across the globe, geographic data will become increasingly important in monitoring trends and accommodating the needs of the public, Malhotra writes. Thus, inviting the public to engage in the creation of that data is "an increasingly important aspect of studying and planning more inclusive cities."
To illustrate this point, she highlights the collaborative mapping effort led by Russian artist and cyclist Anton Polsky, which we posted last month. "The map received a lot of support and attention from urban residents and the media, and it became part of an alternative vision for the city, called 'Moscow 2020.'"
Malhotra also points to India and China, where, despite efforts to better map cycling routes, opposing cultural pressures are actually fostering car-oriented lifestyles and land uses.
But participatory mapping can also take on a more playful tone, as with Brooklyn's "What Shape is Bushwick?" project, which Malhotra describes as "a good example of mapping and participatory sewing."
Read the full story: Participatory Maps for Inclusive Cities
Top 10 Free Web Applications for Planning
I had the opportuntity, at the 2009 national planning conference in Minneapolis, to present (together with my colleague Christian Peralta Madera) ten free web applications that can be used to support planning. Approximately 350 participants attended the session. Since the presentation, I've received over 100 emails congratulating us on the practical nature of the presentation, and requesting links to the websites we presented. Since our presentation was a hands-on demonstration, this blog entry outlines the ten technologies, and provides links to examples of the technology in practice and resources so you can experiment with the technologies.
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Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello