About this Map
LoMap is a colorful youth-authored Green Map of Lower Manhattan. This Green Apple Map brings together the expressions of youth from different neighborhoods, backgrounds and age groups (from 7 to 19). Although composed by adults at Green Map System, it features youth and family-oriented natural and cultural sites that have been nominated, described and drawn by 250 young people.
The LoMap methodology was created to involve as many youth as possible in Green Mapmaking, even for a brief time. LoMap's coordinator, Beth Ferguson, gave each group an orientation to sustainability at the community level, and encouraged thoughtful responses. Many of the 20 schools and clubs involved took neighborhood field trips and extended the lesson by making their own Green Maps, writing the Mayor about problems they noticed, or presenting and exchanging their site nominations with others in their group.
This vibrant guide was first published on paper and on-line in April 2001. A manual for replicating the project was completed soon after. LoMap proved to be very popular in the aftermath of 9-11, as people sought out a healing image of Lower Manhattan.
LoMap was completely updated and reprinted in summer 2004. We added many new sites and features, including a Spanish, Chinese and English legend reflecting the diversity of the families living downtown. Although it is currently out of print, you can download the interactive PDF - it has been quite popular with tourists as well as residents.
At the end of 2006, Buckminster Fuller Institute launched the interactive EARTHscope LoMap. This animated version (including videos) is one of the first in a growing, global library of geo-stories about the state of the Earth, our communities and possible futures. We're happy that LoMap has appeared in many publications over the years - we may even make an updated edtion one of these days!
Other Map Information
Mapmaking:
Public input
Workshops
In class
Year 2000 was an election year, and we asked kids to Vote for their favorite sites. Their little sketches were scanned and colored in - these add so much to the map!
Participation:
Children
Youth
Students
Staff
Volunteers
In addition to the 20 classes and clubs, we collected nominations from the public and from parents at the Greenmarket and ecofairs.
Key People:
Special thanks to Greenacre Foundation & NYC Environmental Fund for supporting this effort from 2000-2001, and again in 2004.
Unique Fact:
LoMap's launch party included a mini fair with the participating schools and clubs displaying their other eco-projects. At the end, we all planted sunflowers in our drink cups, rather than tossing them out.
Quote:
"A Green Map is especially useful to seniors who want to visit the city without the traffic and turmoil - and who care about leaving a healthier planet for our grandchildren".
Software:
Design (Illustrator, etc.)
Other
Other:
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Quark, FileMaker
Hardware:
Computer
Digital Camera
Scanner
Printer
Bike
Other:
Slide projector for classroom introductions
Base Map:
New York Cycling Map of the NYC Department of City Planning, Transportation Division, Bicycle Network Development Program & Bytes of the Big Apple DCP Lion File © Department of City Planning
