I have decided to follow the sparkle in my eye and jump back into making maps that build on my curiosity about my surroundings and to further develop the skills I gained through my GIS diploma. As such, my first step in brushing the dust off of my map making skills was to create the background to my website!
As reference, this is the image I created:
Great tips to stay current and develop your Spatial Analysis skills.
“To create stronger communities, design of our cities must be diverse. This ‘something for everyone’ philosophy helps bring more people together and at varying times of the day.”
This is a great summary of Jane Jacobs’ philosophies.
I could drool over this for days and days.
Beautifully crafted map of routes/flow of bike share usage.
An unsurprising result from a heat map of usage of Vancouver, BCs transit system (highest usage along skytrain and b-line to UBC).
I’m finding this interactive map of shipping routes mesmerizing.
Inspiring discussion about our way forward regarding transportation planning and the public realm.
Biking, above all other forms of transportation, provides me the best opportunities to connect with fellow commuters, whether it is commenting on someone’s awesome lights, the weather, or discussing intersections.
It is this level of engagement, opportunity to connect, and neighbourliness that brings a smile to my face, joy to my heart, and the power to keep pedalling.
I’ve always been intrigued by secret paths/halways/stairs, and this review of Secret Staircases in California satisfies that itch a touch, even through the podcast. It also addresses the importance of building cities according to a variety of transportation options, and these staircases offer shortcuts and/or routes that are off busy and not so pleasant roads. But the BEST part is the sneak peak into the way ppl live in their backyards.
Description of the podcast:
“Wherever there is sufficient demand to move between two points of differing elevation, there are stairs. In some hilly neighborhoods of California–if you know where to look–you’ll find public, outdoor staircases.
"The large number of hidden public staircases is part of what makes California so great. Charles Fleming is one of the world experts of coastal California’s public stairs. He has documented and mapped walking routes through nearly every useable public staircase in San Francisco’s East Bay, as well as in Los Angeles (where he lives). Charles published his findings in two walking guides, appropriately titled Secret Stairs.
"Producer Sam Greenspan met with Charles in the Pacific Palisades, where people from all over Los Angeles had gathered to attend one of Charles’ monthly stair walks.”
Watched Detropia last week with my brother and was blown away. I was expecting it to be more about the devastation Detroit is facing, but it was also about the struggles with hope, success, and human connection. In short, I loved it!
Would you move to save your community?
