Cartógrafos de América Latina, por favor, deplacése hacia abajo para nuestra encuesta adjunta!

Mapeadores da América Latina por favor, desloque-se para a nossa pesquisa ligado!

Latin American Mapmakers, please scroll down for our attached survey!

Mapa Verde is Spanish for “Green Map” so we use the name Mapa Verde to describe our Latin American sustainability mapping initiative. It has grown significantly since its first project, Buenos Aires, was registered in 1998. Since then, the Mapa Verde network has published over 25 unique Green Maps in print or online, including several Open Green Maps. To date, Mapa Verde has published projects in 15 countries, with many more registered or underway. Now, to gain more insight into the processes, outcomes and impacts of this locally-directed work, we are surveying the region’s culturally linked Mapmakers, including all those from South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

As an intern at Green Map System and a University of Richmond student of Geography and International Studies focused on Latin America, it was natural for me to develop an investigation of the Mapas Verdes initiatives. After digging through Green Map’s archives of locally made maps, education and outreach tools, searching through resources online, and reviewing the project profiles on GreenMap.org, I have categorized a number of Mapa Verde projects, including a few that were previously undocumented.

The time I spent organizing and collecting project data only increased my interest in the Mapa Verde initiatives and the diverse developmental processes undertaken with each map. Consequently, it is my desire to move further with this research, answering questions such as, how has Mapa Verde impacted communities? How does each project collect data, incorporate member participation, and distribute their maps? And most importantly, has Mapa Verde increased sustainability in Latin America?

In order to gather the needed information for my inquiries I have created a trilingual survey designed for all Latin American Green Mapmakers. Directly appealing to each initiative, I intend to delve into the hidden layers of map production and develop an assessment that will inform future participants in the region and provide a qualitative analysis of Green Map’s effectiveness and uses.

With my findings, I will author an analytical report that will incorporate discussions of my methods, literary reviews, results, and conclusions. This research has been supported by the David D. Burhans Civic Fellowship, and will be presented in the fall of this year to this foundation, University of Richmond students and professors and the Richmond Virginia community. I would like to extend thanks to Wendy Brawer, founding director of Green Map System for allowing me to undertake this project, as well as Dr. David Salisbury, my academic advisor at the University of Richmond for guiding me through this process.

As of July 19, ten mapmakers have responded as mapped here. I invite all Mapmakers from Latin America to fill out the survey by clicking here. I look forward to learning from these responses and sharing the report here later in 2011.

Sincerely, read more »

지속가능한 발전과 쾌적한 도시환경을 모토로 삼고 있는 단체인 푸른경기21실천협의회의 주도로 진행된 '경기도 Green Map 프로젝트'가 성공적으로 마무리되었습니다! 한국에서 환경에 대한 관심이 날로 높아지고 있는 요즈음, 한국 최초로 경기도의 '경기도 Green Map'을 완성은 매우 반가운 뉴스입니다.

그간 Green Map System, Inc.와 한국의 정부부서 및 민관단체들의 Green Map 만들기에 관련한 프로젝트를 시도해오기는 했지만, 이처럼 완성되어 발간된 것은 처음으로 그 의미가 더 크다고 할 수 있습니다. 또한 경기도는 Green Map의 완성에만 그치지 않고 '2010 그린맵 컨테스트'를 통해 대중들의 의견을 모니터링하고 발전을 꾀했다는 점에서 매우 인상적입니다.read more »

“Ethics” is a good example of a term people use all the time without knowing the word’s origins. Of course, not everyone needs to be an expert etymologist, but sometimes it is interesting—if not, revealing—looking into such matters. “Ethics” comes from the Greek word ēthikos, which can convey a number of meanings familiar to us: morals, customs, principles, etc. But most of these words in modern times have taken a somewhat inappropriate connotation. Nowadays, these words have come to signify all the stern sets of duties one must adhere to, sometimes in the face of competing, though often completely natural, inclinations. Ethics force us to think about and ultimately comply with what is truly the “right” way to live. read more »

Today GreenMap.org enters the twentieth-first century just a little bit late. The new drop down menus will increase the ease of use as well as help to streamline the design of the website.

Now, every page on Green Map is accessible no matter where you are. Say you are in the press section but would like to jump to a submenu in the About section to find out more about the Green Map Icons. What used to take you up to 6 or even 7 clicks is now just one.

It may be a change in the way you navigate GreenMap.org but your experience will be far more convenient, less frustrating, and maybe even a little prettier.read more »

Here in our Green Map System office in East Village, New York, we have been receiving visitors along with their newly made Green Maps. In less than two weeks, we have had Green Mapmakers from Cape Town, Colchester and Baltimore. From the oldest recorded town in Britain to the host city of the 2010 World Cup, they have all raised awareness on sustainable living and resources through their Green Maps.

Colchester, UK

Rowena Macaulay founded Walk Colchester in April 2010. Her fledging group is a community Green Mapping initiative that aims to record and protect the paths, parks, woodlands and open spaces as well as the cultural heritage of this remarkable place by promoting enjoyable, accessible, informed pedestrianism for walkers of all ages and abilities. read more »

Our founder, Wendy Brawer has been featured in a special green episode of $9.99 on NYC Media. This media outlet is the official TV, radio and online network of NYC. This program, featuring Vivian Guzman, seeks out places and activities in NYC for New Yorkers and tourists alike, who are on a shoestring budget of only $9.99. In this episode, titled “Going Green”, places such as the Hearst Tower, the Highline and the Union Square Green Market were featured.

From 19.49 to 21.02 on the video, Wendy Brawer was interviewed at the Union Square Green Market. On Material Mondays, people can bring in and recycle their used textiles such as bed sheets and old clothes. They can also drop off their food waste at the compost bins located in the square. Using our Compost Green Map of Manhattan, you could search for the nearest compost bins from your home. Our Powerful Green Apple Map of energy resources will help you explore green and sustainable places in NYC. read more »

In Budapest on May 27 2010, Green Map System's Director, Wendy Brawer took part in a special public and press celebration with Green Map projects from 4 countries. There, exciting new widgets were launched! The widgets have already appeared on Mangrove Guard, Cape Town Green Map, Green Apple Map, and Walk Colchester.

Direct from Budapest, Green Mapmakers are taking part in a special public and press event that will launch exciting new widgets on May 27.

"These widgets were inspired by our mobile website and iPhone App. So many people have responded to them, we developed the widgets to provide a similar user experience on the desktop. And since we know the value of sharing tools, we’ve provided the code and invited everyone to add the widgets to their own website and blog", said Wendy E. Brawer, Founding Director.read more »

We've got a new timeline! This view of our 15 years of sustainability mapping was created by University of Michigan students Hanna, Bo, and Kristen who worked with us for a week in March. The timeline is just one of the resources they developed together with our staff during the School of Information's Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program.

Download Green Map System's Timeline and spread the word!read more »