A Cartographer,Shaped by Context and Challenged by Classics

Abstract

Using examples from the governmental, commercial and educational sectors, the development of photo maps and mapping using satellite imagery is outlined. The emphasis of this paper is on the design possibilities and limitations which are evident in these products. Contrast and legibility problems and image clutter are considered, but it is concluded that the institutional impediments to the collaboration of specialists in researching and designing such maps may be of most importance in determining progress in the use of such maps.     

A History and Analysis of Mapping Urban Expansion in the Kathmandu Valley,Nepal

Abstract

There have been numerous efforts over many years to map or delineate urban locations and features in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. This study acquired 27 land useland cover maps for the Valley or the urban portions of the Valley. Those maps vary greatly in their mapping parameters. The objectives of this study were to first conduct a cartographic comparison of the differences in the creation and content of the maps and then do an analysis of the urban changes in the Valley based upon the maps. The maps for the Valley have differed in their source materials, the amount of field work involved, scale and minimum mapping units, classifications used, definitions of classes and coordinate systems. Source materials have included various scales and formats of aerial photography and different satellite systems. The most difficult issue in comparing the maps is the varied classification systems and definitions. The same feature will be classified differently from map to map. This is particularly an issue for institutional features such as temples, palaces, educational facilities, open public space and governmental sites. Definitions of residential areas are also not consistent. Even with the differences in mapping parameters, considerable useful information can be obtained by comparing these maps. These include a simply documentation of the urban extent and the generally resulting loss in agricultural lands. There was an increase in urban extent from 22 to 83km² between 1955 and 2000. Urban expansion has also changed from occurring on the upland river terraces or tars to the floodplains. Finally, while not directly documented in these maps, the tremendous pace of urban growth has resulted in multiple infrastructure and environmental challenges.     

The Earliest Maps of Southampton

Abstract

In editing the early maps of Southampton for reproduction, the City Archivist has made a detailed study of their origins. This account demonstrates the precautions which must be taken in dealing with old maps and plans.     

Living Dinosaurs – A Pessimistic View of the Digital Future?

Abstract

A dealer in second-hand maps, mostly Ordnance Survey maps, looks to the future of map dealers in the light of technological advances and the digital age.     

Cartographic Design and Production in the Internet Era: The Example of Tourist Web Maps

Abstract

Some, but not all, branches of the tourist industry make heavy use of maps. The industry has discovered the marketing potential of the Internet but in many cases has not yet fully exploited the extra potential of web maps compared to the traditional paper maps. Web maps can up-to-date tourist information very well but they have to be carefully designed to take account of the limitations of the medium. To be most effective, web maps should be basically simple and convey sufficient information interactively, on request. The map and symbol design should convey intuitively where and how this interaction can take place. This paper summarizes the typical faults found in tourist web map design and provides suggestions on good design practice.     

Project management of mapping projects in developing countries in Africa

Abstract

Most projects which involve planning of rural areas and towns in developing countries require maps, but many of these countries do not have sufficient large-scale mapping suitable for this purpose, or maps which are up-to-date. With environmental-friendly projects becoming highly desirable, up-to-date and accurate maps are vital. As most large scale mapping projects require technical assistance, this paper discusses aid agreements with donor countries. These opportunities could be of benefit to private entrepreneurs. This paper also examines the project management approach for introducing mapping projects to developing countries. It makes special reference to a large mapping project in Zimbabwe in which the author was personally involved.     

An Evaluation of the Use of Grid Squares in Computerised Choropleth Maps

Abstract

There are numerous computer programs to produce choropleth maps and some work has also been published on the use of a grid matrix as a way of dividing an area into discrete units. The purpose of this paper is to combine the two approaches and evaluate the suitability of using a network of grid cells, each containing a representative value of the variable being mapped, as a way of producing choropleth maps on a computer.     

MAPIT: A Computer Program for Production of Flow Maps,Dot Maps and Graduated Symbol Maps

Abstract

This paper describes some results of an attempt to design and to write a general purpose computer program which can be used to produce quality maps of discrete data by the person who has had no training in computer programming. In the first section, the variety of the maps this program can produce is illustrated; in the second section, some of the principles involved in such map production are discussed; in the third section, the input arrangements for using the program are described and, finally, the role of such programs in teaching and research in the years ahead is discussed.     

The Website of The British Cartographic Society

Abstract

Whilst it can be fairly stated that the post war years have seen an upsurge of interest in the design of maps as printed material, the same cannot be said of the treatment of maps for projection, whether by 35 mm slides or overhead methods.     

Elements of viral cartography

ABSTRACT

Making and sharing maps is easier than ever, and social media platforms make it possible for maps to rapidly attain widespread visibility and engagement. Such maps can be considered examples of viral cartography – maps that reach rapid popularity via social media dissemination. In this research we propose a framework for evaluating the design and social dissemination characteristics of viral maps. We apply this framework in two case studies using maps that reached wide audiences on Twitter. We then analyze collections of maps derived from and inspired by viral maps using image analysis and machine learning to characterize their design elements. Based on our initial work to conceptualize and analyze virality in cartography, we propose a set of new research challenges to better understand viral mapmaking and leverage its social affordances.     

Typology of Meteorological Weather Forecast Maps Printed in World Newspapers

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of the analysis of more than 150 different printed newspaper weather forecasting maps, representing 91 global, national, regional and local daily news periodicals from 33 countries in 4 continents. The classification attention focused both on the character of the localizing background layer of the analysed maps as well as on the meteorological thematic layer. The results identify 12 types of background localizing maps and 47 used types of presentation of meteorological forecast information, only 19 of which were used repeatedly in more than one newspaper. All the findings were documented on comparable cartographic models. Conclusions suitable for practical applications are demonstrated in the discussion.     

Editorial

Abstract

This paper describes the conservation of the first edition of the six-inches-to-one-mile Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland. It outlines the general problem of the acidity of paper on which nineteenth-century Ordnance Survey maps are printed and the peculiar problems of conserving a hand-coloured presentation set. Each stage in the process is described up to the final encapsulation of the maps in Melinex polyester film.     

Maps for Fun and Profit: One Small Company's Experience

Abstract

This paper offers a review of the activities of Stirling Surveys, a small cartographic publishing company based in Stirling, Scotland. Established in 1987, the company produces maps for a range of clients in addition to publishing their own maps under the Footprint imprint. Meeting the needs of different maps users in an effective way is central to the design and production of these maps. The demands on a small publisher operating in a niche market are also considered.     

Reflections on Cartography as the British Cartographic Society Celebrates its Golden Jubilee

Abstract

A questionnaire to 128 drivers included map reading tasks using ½-inch to 1 mile maps produced by Philips (Shell Motoring Maps) and by the Ordnance Survey, followed by questions about which of the two maps was preferred and about the features required in a road map.     

Relief and Colour

Abstract

Most maps which depict the earth's relief do not convey information about the colour or texture of the earth's surface. Ways of embodying these additional elements into hill-shaded maps are proposed by the Senior Lecturer in Geodesy, Israel Institute of Technology (Technion).     

Effects of Animations in Zooming and Panning Operations on Web maps: A Web-based Experiment

Abstract

The presentation of graphics and maps on the Internet has led to the development of several new techniques. The use of dynamics and animations in maps has increased, and new types of applications are emerging frequently. Recently, several map providers on the web have introduced zooming in maps as an animated operation. In this paper, we look closer into how the animated zoom is perceived by participants in an experiment, and compare these observations with a corresponding test where the map scale is changed in more abrupt steps. The results indicate significant preference for the animated zoom. The experiment itself is carried out through the World Wide Web and all the participants made their contribution from their own computers.     

Maps for the Reluctant

Abstract

This paper describes the design and development of two trial 1:100 000 scale Ordnance Survey maps targeted specifically at the inexperienced and reluctant map users in the touring and holiday market. These are two maps which depart from the very high map specification designs normally offered by Ordnance Survey. The use of extensive consumer market research and the objective analysis of existing touring type maps on sale have enabled Ordnance Survey to publish two experimental maps, which will succeed or fail by consumer reaction alone.     

Experiments in the Design of 1:100 000 Scale Topographic Mapping for Great Britain

Abstract

Most European countries have a national topographic map series at 1:100 000 scale, but currently Great Britain does not. The history of mapping at or around 1:100 000 in Britain is described briefly and consideration given as to why such a scale would be appropriate for a national series of mapping aimed at tourist and leisure users. The main focus of the article is to review a series of 1:100 000 scale maps of two sample areas of Great Britain, produced in the style of various western European medium scale topographic maps. Two further design examples are produced combining desirable characteristics of the maps examined. The results show both that many of the designs translate well to 1:100 000 scale maps of the British landscape and that there is considerable potential for a topographic base at this scale providing a basis for a national series aimed at tourist and leisure users.     

Reflections on Arno Peters (1916–2002)

Abstract

This paper describes a methodology for evaluating the planimetric accuracy of three US Civil War maps using GIS and spatial analytical techniques. The case-study is the Battle of Stones River in Tennessee and, in particular, maps depicting the events of December 31, 1862. An examination of the objectives, limitations and techniques employed by the topographer engineers who created the maps provides focus for the quantitative analysis and establishes the historical context needed to understand how and why the maps were constructed. The paper shows how GIS and spatial analysis can be utilized to document vanishing historic landscapes and reconstructing where certain historical events took place.