LAB 3

NEOGEOGRAPHY

Mashup/Dynamic Map

   
    Learning about neogeography is important to so that we can "reinforce and extend important geographic, mapping and GIS concepts " (as specified on the assignment sheet). A great way to extend our understanding was to create our own maps. I chose to create a map that was not within my area of comfort and recognition so that creating it would also give me a greater understanding of an area I am not familiar with. I made a map that would help summer tourists decide how and what attractions they could visit in Central Park within a day. I stayed in New York for a month this past summer and if I had this map for myself back then then I probably would have had a much more straightforward and less confusing trip in the park. If I decide to go back again in the future then this map will prove to be useful to me, just like the future tourists I purposed it for. 


Central Park Summer Attractions

View Central Park Summer Attractions in a larger map

Pitfalls, Potential, & Consequences of Neogeography

       
       Neogeography has expanded very quickly as technology spreads and becomes more widely available. Web 2.0 allows users to become increasingly interactive with the world wide web. Because the contents online are globally available, anyone can utilize high tech mapping technology. This includes the ever popular Mapquest and Google Map websites. Their availability to the general public means they are free to customize and personalize maps however they wished. This means the world is more adept at mapping and the technologies that accompany it, which also expands their knowledge of geography. 

     However, increased accessibility has narrowed the gap between professionals and amateurs which makes some of the information less reliable because the compilation of data may not follow the proper and professional procedures. Nevertheless the reliance of these virtual map is continually increasing which may hinder mental spatial awareness when confronted with an internet breakdown. There is such as thing as being too reliant with these technologies. However, the expansion of neogeography has made travel more efficient which has broadened people's geographic reaches. Anyone can explore unfamiliar areas just by sitting at their desk. As more people utilize neogeography, the field will expand as reliance and interest also increase.