Today the discussion surrounding maps and cartography is growing. The Internet is allowing more people in different places to experience map use digitally through a wide variety of devices. This use is creating questions about maps, mapping and cartography. Editors Martin Dodge, Rob Kitchin and Chris Perkins have gathered togather a collection of contributors, each writing about the changing nature of maps, cartography and their use. The book ‘Rethinking Maps – New frontiers in cartographic theory’ is not only about mapping today, it describes where mapping might be in the future and provides insightful considerations for thinking about the many changes happening in the pursuit of cartography.
New frontiers in cartographic theory
Edited by
Martin Dodge
Rob Kitchin
Chris Perkins
246 pages ISBN: 9780415461528
2009
Review by Jeff Thurston
Mapping is evolving. All that we knew about mapping and cartography is changing. We are discovering what maps can tell us and why they are as useful now, if not moreso, than before. We are also learning more about what we don’t know – the edges of the map and cartography world are seemingly boundless as new approaches to map creation and use continue to enter our awareness. Part of this continually changing phenomena is due to technology, but a significant portion is attributable to our thinking about maps and cartographic pursuit. This is tempered with new social interactions as maps become collaborative and increasingly shared.
The Internet has undoubtedly contributed toward the wider use of map products and cartographic services. But it has also aided in the changing nature of map use, communication and how people connect to maps. The contributors to this book are at the frontier in terms of thinking about maps and cartography. They represent a small but quickly growing group of individuals who realise all that we knew about mapping and cartography has changed. These changes are stirring our thoughts and causing us to think about maps in new ways, discover new options and to create new approaches for how we interact with maps, their associated tools and their purposes.
As the editors point out, many researchers from computer science and engineering fields are contemplating various aspects of automation in map production and map consumption. This has further led toward issues relating to the context under which mapping occurs – production and or consumption. In addition, why mapping occurs in the first is also debated, with mention to not only accuracy but the truth. Indeed, theme of truth runs throughout the book as each contributor seems to aim at it and expresses a great need to map the truth.
Whereas much of our past cartographic efforts zero’s in on map design with a strong orientation toward production, work like that of Waldo Tobler has previously opened the door to environmental factors and nature of geographic information science. This book outlines the historical impacts of many previous researchers work in the field of cartography and their individual contributions toward map making.
Yet, this work steps forward further and asks some important and thought provoking questions. Is a map about truth? What is the connection between maps and people and the rest of the world? What do we mean when we talk about the nature of maps? Is mapping a conduit for researchers messages and understanding of the planet? What do all those climate change maps cause us to believe? Isn’t it more important to know what a map can do, rather than what it is?
The book raises these issues and causes the reader to question the purpose of mapping today, and to through that process to begin the journey toward re-inventing the map – or at least to rethink it.
Earlier work by Kitchin and Dodge saw maps as transitory and changing continually. They saw it is as a series of practices, which were run over and over again, changing and adapting with new information, techniques and possibilities each time. Can we ever really know what a map is given that they take on so many meanings and purposes?
Contributor Jeremy Crampton takes us inside the cartographic world of the choropleth map. He dissects where they came from, how they provide meaning and expresses the evolution of choropleth mapping from the times of Plato onward. Crampton provides readers with a glimpse into the relationships of race interpretation over geographic time and space. He postulates about how population identity comes about and where the origins of demographic identities emerge from and toward.
Leila Harris and Helen Hazen shed light on those aspects of mapping that link into nature and conservation. They delve into the proceesual aspects as compared to the representional portions of mapping. They look to the process and explain the relationship holistically. In their view, the less we think about map terms and divisions between users and map makers, for example, the better. The direct our attention to those elements of landscapes that are non-human and how we might better map them – and recognise their power in mapping. Who can argue that maps of whales, tall old trees and butterflies, for example, do not stir emotions and act as powerful communicators?
At this juncture the readers will start to wonder, are we mapping things because the tools and technologies are present and accessible? And, just because data is open or free, does that mean that information should have greater weight in the overall decision making process? Clearly maps must point to the truth, as previously mentioned. And, sometimes acquiring the information to tell the truth is not so obvious – or easy.
Georg Gartner speaks about Web mapping in general. He summarises the changing nature of the technologies used toward producing and consuming maps and cartographic services. As might be expected he leads the reader toward understanding mashups, APIs and Web mapping 2.0 strategies. Michael Goodchild on the other hand uses ESRI software development to describe the cyclical nature of mapping. He suggests that technological development gives rise to new forms of mapping where some succeed, others fail and the tools are used for purposes beyond their design. The tools then stretch (and become redesigned) as users adapt, learn and develop alternatives for other forms and types of representation. Indeed, many people emerging from the 1980’s through the 1990’s and to present can describe these kinds of cycles, although they are vague in description sometimes. How often have you been at a conference or presentation and heard someone say, “I remember we tried that” or “that is like this or that program.” In effect they are supporting Goodchild’s principle.
Amy D. Propen pries open the concept of mapping further, and at page 116 she uses the word ‘rethink’ in describing how we look at image draping and high resolution imagery in the context of mapping. Where does visualisation end and cartography begin? Many of the newer communities of map producers and users are merging from the exploitation of image derived data sources. They are both local and international in scope, and they do not necessarily begin at a topology level. Instead, they begin through social interaction, developing close collaborative bonds and share information among themselves, leading toward the creation and consumption of maps almost at the same time.
Tom Conley makes reference to the fact that mapping is steeped in cultural pursuits. He goes on to explain how cinema has relied upon map approaches through spaces to interact with audiences. He describes the work of Alfred Hitchcock, who utilised what he refers to as vector space to catch the attention of people. In fact, a picture of the map of Scotland from the Hitchcock thriller The 39 Steps is presented in the book. Similar connections to movies can be found in the contribution by Jim Craine and Stuart C. Aitken who present a map from the movie High Sierra that includes moving elements within a static map design. Their work describes the relationship of virtual spaces and they speak about re-imagining cartography.
Chris Perkins hits on a topic that we don’t often speak about – playing with maps. In many ways cartographic professionals and GIS developers have relegated play to a lower level in the pursuit of map development, a situation which Perkins clearly shows is not the case. Through play people experience situations that they might not otherwise. Topics that are out of bounds can often be approached in play or gaming, experimentation and trial and error also take place within an environment of play.Does a map on a mobile device designed for younger people have any difference in usefulness as compared to a map on an adults device?
Perkins describes the development of map skill acquisition as a precursor to other development. Play enabling skills. How can we argue since we know today that games and play are even part of health and military strategies? He goes on to share other playful facts, such as the OpenStreetMap announcement that Easter Eggs were hidden within that map, poking fun at the common practice of more serious types who purposely include errors in maps for copyright purposes.
John Krygier and Denis Wood include a chapter that caught me by surprise. While smiling I made my way through the many cartoon pictures and text saying, “this is not Boylan Heights, North Carolina” in a number of images depicting lines and maps. “Are maps representations at all?” they ask. How should be consider statements like, “Once posted, the this is takes on thereness, a quality of being somewhere, as the there takes on thisness, a quality of being something.” Are you smiling or scratching your head yet? The Jack O’lantern map shows several of the pumpkins in the dark for the neighbourhood in Boylan Heights. But only those people with ‘means’ carved pumpkins. Thise without ‘means’ relegated to darkness forever.
Where are the pin oaks in the U.S. located anyhow? That in reference to the numerous different maps included, each showing the pin oak range differently. Krygier and Wood had me smiling broadly by this time with their unique approach using cartoons, but asking some pertinent and interesting questions. I would suggest by the way, pin oaks are located – in the U.S – but more mapping is obviously needed. This is great reading – at least 5 pumpkins in rating – for it’s creative approach with humour included.
The final chapter of the book is by the editors Dodge, Perkins and Kitchin. They indicate that the book is about the future, and should be viewed as spark to ignite the fires of a multi-mode approach for mapping. Rather than trying to rally everyone into the same future, they advocate a much wider blend of fun, experimentation, dichotomy of tools, and alternate perspectives. The editors speak about ethnography and cultural approaches and involvement in future map endeavour. They discuss memories and the rythym of map studies.
In summary, this book cuts a wide swath. It is not solely for cartographers or map makers. Rather, it is about the processes that motivate people to include maps into their daily lives, from the simplest forms to the more complex. The book brings to the forefront the idea that mapping is changing and that how we engage maps should be a consideration – continually.Rather than top-down hierachy’s that push graphic content out into the wider world, Rethinking Maps picks us up and places us right in the middle of the process and hands us numerous ideas, thoughts and considerations to orient ourselves.
We do not know the future of mapping, although Dodge, Perkins and Kitchin might say that does not matter. The more important goal is to engage mapping from many angles and to consider our participation as links in the wider evolution of mapping. The map truth is always out there.
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Jeff Thurston is editor of V1 Magazine and V1 Energy Magazine for Vector1 Media. He is based in Berlin.
