Mapping Tools
Here are some mapping tools for community activity.
1. Map Your State's Transportation Spending
Observe how your state allocates funds for transportation. New road construction or old road maintenance? Failing bridges? Car, bus, train, bike, etc.? Knowing about the spending makes it easier to think what you want to shift and how.
2. Map the Removal of Parking Minimums Across the Country
Watch this growing trend.
Be careful before you decide to back it. If you cut minimums in a high-traffic area, you can cause more problems than you solve. But most places waste more space on parking than necessary. Me, I've seen lots that are always almost empty and some stores or restaurants you can never find a parking place near because their lot is so tiny and they're popular. Aim for balance.
* First analyze overall parking in your town. Is there too much, too little, or just enough?
* If there is too much, consider why and whether it is something you can affect. Much damage is done by chainstores that set their own giant size parking lots.
* You might try reducing your parking minimums before eliminating them. This is easier to fix if you realize you have made a mistake.
* Allow car-free developments! Create a promenade or plaza for pedestrians instead of requiring stores to be surrounded by parking. Encourage affordable housing that saves money by not wasting space on parking; include a bike garage.
* Tailor parking to different areas. Close to your mass-transit core, there is much less need for a car; this is good space for people who don't want or can't afford a car. Be very careful about cutting spaces downtown or other very crowded areas.
* It is generally best to reduce demand for parking before removing spaces.
* Consider conversions. 1 car parking space = 10 bike parking spaces.
* If you have too little parking somewhere, look for expansions that don't eat up your surface space. A tall parking garage or underground garage are better than surface lots.
* In residential areas, discourage front-facing garages. Allow garage apartments, making more use of the same footprint. In areas with minimal snow, a garage can have a flat roof serving as outdoor living space. Uncouple parking from residences; allow nondrivers to rent their allotted parking space(s) to someone else.
3. Map the Effects of Parking Minimums
And here's a tool to help you analyze what parking minimums do so you can better decide whether your town needs them or should adjust the rules.
4. Map Distressed Communities Across the Country
It's a fuckup detector! Imagine the fun you could have pelting political candidates with the numbers of their distressed neighborhoods. "Given your district's 66% poverty rate, how do you justify running for mayor?" "What's your plan for revitalizing poor neighborhoods in our town, like Place A and Place B?"
5. Map Walkability and Street Design
This map helps you target your action. Look at the walkability map in your town.
* Is that area well serviced by disability transport or is it for abled people only? If there is no disability transport, add some.
* Find the main attractions in your town. Are they connected by walkable routes? If not, try to connect them.
* Are there two or more areas of walkability? If so, try to connect those into a larger whole.
* Where does the walkable area end? Look at the edges and think what lies beyond each. This can help you decide where to focus on extending routes.
* Where are your parks? Are they walkable? If not, they should be.
6. Map Anything You Want
Useful for a wide range of topics and goals.
Bonus: A History of Women in Cartography
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1. Map Your State's Transportation Spending
Observe how your state allocates funds for transportation. New road construction or old road maintenance? Failing bridges? Car, bus, train, bike, etc.? Knowing about the spending makes it easier to think what you want to shift and how.
2. Map the Removal of Parking Minimums Across the Country
Watch this growing trend.
Be careful before you decide to back it. If you cut minimums in a high-traffic area, you can cause more problems than you solve. But most places waste more space on parking than necessary. Me, I've seen lots that are always almost empty and some stores or restaurants you can never find a parking place near because their lot is so tiny and they're popular. Aim for balance.
* First analyze overall parking in your town. Is there too much, too little, or just enough?
* If there is too much, consider why and whether it is something you can affect. Much damage is done by chainstores that set their own giant size parking lots.
* You might try reducing your parking minimums before eliminating them. This is easier to fix if you realize you have made a mistake.
* Allow car-free developments! Create a promenade or plaza for pedestrians instead of requiring stores to be surrounded by parking. Encourage affordable housing that saves money by not wasting space on parking; include a bike garage.
* Tailor parking to different areas. Close to your mass-transit core, there is much less need for a car; this is good space for people who don't want or can't afford a car. Be very careful about cutting spaces downtown or other very crowded areas.
* It is generally best to reduce demand for parking before removing spaces.
* Consider conversions. 1 car parking space = 10 bike parking spaces.
* If you have too little parking somewhere, look for expansions that don't eat up your surface space. A tall parking garage or underground garage are better than surface lots.
* In residential areas, discourage front-facing garages. Allow garage apartments, making more use of the same footprint. In areas with minimal snow, a garage can have a flat roof serving as outdoor living space. Uncouple parking from residences; allow nondrivers to rent their allotted parking space(s) to someone else.
3. Map the Effects of Parking Minimums
And here's a tool to help you analyze what parking minimums do so you can better decide whether your town needs them or should adjust the rules.
4. Map Distressed Communities Across the Country
It's a fuckup detector! Imagine the fun you could have pelting political candidates with the numbers of their distressed neighborhoods. "Given your district's 66% poverty rate, how do you justify running for mayor?" "What's your plan for revitalizing poor neighborhoods in our town, like Place A and Place B?"
5. Map Walkability and Street Design
This map helps you target your action. Look at the walkability map in your town.
* Is that area well serviced by disability transport or is it for abled people only? If there is no disability transport, add some.
* Find the main attractions in your town. Are they connected by walkable routes? If not, try to connect them.
* Are there two or more areas of walkability? If so, try to connect those into a larger whole.
* Where does the walkable area end? Look at the edges and think what lies beyond each. This can help you decide where to focus on extending routes.
* Where are your parks? Are they walkable? If not, they should be.
6. Map Anything You Want
Useful for a wide range of topics and goals.
Bonus: A History of Women in Cartography
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