Mapping Towns as We Know Them…

Residents of Cowichan County, Canada got together to last month to map what they perceived to be important assets of their community.  Such things as historic landmarks, cycling trails, and even environmental sites that are being neglected were mapped.  The event allowed the citizens of Cowichan County to learn more about their environment and where they live, where their food comes from, and where their children and their children’s children may grow up.  The event turned into more of a social gathering rather than a social experiment which helped increase the number of residents that came to the event.  

For more information about the Cowichan County effort, click here…

Mapping During Environmental Disasters…

Wildfires have ravaged much of Southern Australia and keeping residents and fire fighters up-to-date on the latest information can prove to be a difficult task.  However thanks to the digital age, this task has been easier to accomplish.  With the help of Google Maps, many people have now been providing valuable information on the spread of these wildfires and suggesting which areas are safe to find refuge in and which areas should be looking in evacuating soon.  Mapping has always been used as a tool for education and  now it is saving lives…

For more information, click here…

Kenneth E. Liwag, Rutgers University Planning Intern, VERTICES, LLC.