Quality Cartographic Design is being used across many different community projects and initiatives every day. Community – focused maps can be powerful tools that provide a range of benefits to local residents, organizations and wider stakeholders. Here, we look at five key ways in which they can deliver value:
1. Enhanced Local Engagement: Community – focused maps can be a useful visual aid to encourage residents to participate in the local planning and decision-making processes. By involving them in the mapping of their neighbourhoods, communities can foster a sense of ownership and pride, leading to increased engagement in local matters. Local Development Forums make use of accurate maps to engage stakeholders in the planning process.
2. Resource Identification for residents: Good map design can help to highlight local resources, such as parks, libraries, and social services. Creating a good map can help residents better access vital information and services, improving their quality of life. Parish councils will often display a community-focused map on their noticeboard, helping residents and visitors to take full advantage of local amenities.
3. Enable Economic Development: Town Centre Managers and Destination Management Organisations can use mapping to highlight local businesses and attractions, supporting tourism and local economies. A map can help improve visitor footfall and dwell-time as part of a wider wayfinding and information strategy. We see such mapping in many Town Centres, perhaps at arrival points where visitors can quickly get a feel for what’s on offer.
4. Promote Local Greenspace and Biodiversity: By focusing the user on greenspace and biodiversity in the local area, a community map can encourage residents to increase their engagement with nature. A map which focuses on woodland, natural habitats and wildlife can promote interest in the local environment. Local interest groups take this approach by having a map resource focused on the outdoors.
5. Promoting health and wellbeing: Community maps can provide improved health and wellbeing by promoting local walks and cycle trails in the area. Allied to sustainable transport initiatives, good map design can encourage communities to rethink how they move around, commute and take exercise. Local government and even businesses utilise health and wellbeing-focused mapping to deliver benefits for citizens and employees.
These benefits demonstrate some of the ways in which good Community-focused maps can deliver benefits to stakeholders, residents and visitors to towns and neighbourhoods.
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