Episode #10
Using Digital Maps To Study Disaster Preparedness and History
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
In September, when millions of iPhone users downloaded iOS 6 and found Google Maps replaced by Apple Maps, it became clear how reliant people have become on digital maps.
Suddenly, a large slice of the smartphone generation could not find a certain restaurant or a friend's apartment.
It's no surprise that digital maps now play a huge role in everyday tasks, but they also figure large in more serious pursuits like disaster cleanup and rebuilding.
This week on WNYC's New Tech City, host Manoush Zomorodi speaks with Steven Romalewski, director of the Mapping Service at the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center, about mapping before and after Sandy.
Plus, a visit to the map room at the New York Public Library. Cartographers there are working with NYPL Labs to put old maps online and make them useable in the digital age thanks to a process known called "map warping."
Hosted by:
Manoush ZomorodiEditors:
Charlie Herman
Interactive Digital Maps Show City's Changing Landscape
You still see lots of tourists unfolding and refolding paper maps on New York City streets, but most of us use applications on our smartphones to find the closest subway stop or Starbucks.
Comments [3]
OOOOHHHH! So OTHER PEOPLE's maps, not one here on wnyc.org. Ok, got it. Thanks for nothing!
I saw a show on using small weather balloons with a point and shoot camera to update google maps or to make your own maps. I would imagine that this would have some use in assessing damage after Sandy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jyOu5TetKw
There's a website called They Travel and Draw where artists create maps - it's not as high-tech as this, but it is very inspiring.
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