Maps as Design Tools: Space, Time, and Experience

Abstract

When maps’ transformative potential is brought into play by architecture and other spatial design disciplines, maps and design cross over in a complex, creative and productive relationship. We use the term operative mapping to refer to the production and use of maps to broaden our conception of reality and to promote its transformation. This book chapter uses recent research to discuss three distinct approaches to operative mapping in design: spatial mapping to reveal site opportunities based on graphic operations; temporal mapping to understand dynamic behaviour based on data gathering from events; and experiential mapping to expand urban visions based on subjective/collective citizen desires with crowdsourced data and citizen science experiments.