Lecture 10 + Chapter 9 Flashcards
what is volunteered information (VGI)
Data collected by non-experts using accessible technology like mobile devices. This shift allows for diverse and widespread participation.
what are some applications for VGI
science - community-driven data collection for specific purposes - identifying birds or marine animals and tracking on an app that anyone can use to aid research
disaster relief - real-time spatial data analysis that saves lives. crowdsourced maps provided critical real-time data for aid workers - posted rapid updates post-earthquake in Haiti
government - collecting data to guide policy and community resource allocation
SeeClickFix app allows citizens to report local issues (e.g., graffiti, streetlight outages) with location-based tagging
Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- VGI helps train Ai models
Open Street Map
Free, open-access global geographic data created and maintained by volunteers
what are social maps
Social maps are visual representations that incorporate social data, such as demographic information, social interactions, or cultural trends, into geographic locations.
A map that displays census data like age, income, and ethnicity distributions across different neighbourhoods.
What is neogeography?
Use of online tools to create maps without specialized training, democratizing mapping practices - using geographic tools by non-experts for personal or community activities
Mapping is no longer confined to governments, military or industry
- The use of Google Maps by individuals to add reviews and photos of businesses or natural features.
- Story maps integrating geotagged photos and social media (e.g., mapping Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath).
what are the concerns for neogeography
Professional geographers question the quality and accuracy due to a lack of expertise in data handling and cartographic principles.
Potential for bad or misleading maps due to inexpert creation
What are digital divides in the context of social mapping?
Digital divides refer to the disparities between different groups in terms of access to digital technologies, which affects their ability to benefit from or contribute to digital mapping
- Rural areas with poor internet connectivity may have less detailed or updated geographic information compared to urban areas
what are the 3 types of digital divides
global scale
local scale
E-waste
explain the global scale in terms of digital divides
Wealthier countries enjoy faster internet and better geospatial data. Developing nations face lower spatial data quality.
Example: Broadband subscription costs vary significantly as a percentage of annual income.
explain what it means to be local scale in term of digital divides
Within wealthier nations, urban areas often have better access to mapping technology than rural regions.
Socioeconomic and demographic factors influence who generates geospatial data.
explain what E-waste is in terms of digital divides
Rapid technological turnover generates significant electronic waste (e.g., 50 million tons in 2012).
- concentrated developing world sites like in China and Ghana have improper disposal with poses health risks
what was the influence of GPS and mapping apps
GPS enables efficient navigation even in unfamiliar cities.
Popular apps like Google Maps help locate nearby services but can lead to over-reliance
What challenges arise from digital divides in social mapping
Digital divides can lead to unequal representation in digital maps, affecting whose information is seen and used.
- Lower-income regions may be underrepresented in digital maps, affecting services and investments in those areas.
- Errors in mapping systems have led to dangerous situations (e.g., driving into lakes or unsuitable roads).
- Manipulation of digital business listings can harm businesses (e.g., incorrect operational hours on Google Places caused a Serbian restaurant’s closure).
What are data coverage gaps and their issues
Data coverage gaps refer to areas or populations that are not well-represented in digital mapping efforts, which can skew understandings and decisions based on that data
Indigenous territories that are poorly mapped, leading to challenges in legal recognition and resource allocation
How is VGI used in environmental science?
VGI supports environmental monitoring and research by collecting data on species occurrences, environmental changes, and more.
Example: Apps like iNaturalist where users contribute data on wildlife sightings, which are used for ecological research and conservation planning.
What are ethical concerns associated with neogeography?
Ethical concerns include issues related to privacy, data ownership, and the accuracy of user-generated geographic content.
Example: Unintentionally sharing sensitive locations through geotagged photos that could compromise personal or environmental security.
