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Updates from the Field - Icons for Mapping Community Sustainability
Updates from the FieldUpdates from the Field (or Progress Reports) on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.com by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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Recent Updates from the Field
Final Progress report: Icons for Mapping Community Sustainability
By Wendy Brawer - Founding Director & Secretary, August 06, 2008 05:59 PM
With your generous support we were able to finalize our set of 170 Green Map Icons in February 2008. Version 3 of this award-winning iconography reflect an inclusive process initiated five years ago at Italy’s Bellagio Centre during our first Global Green Mapmakers Gathering. Icon designs, titles and usage were discussed online and in meetings within our network of over 450 diverse Green Map projects in 50 countries. We reviewed how these globally designed universal icons have been utilized on outreach and education materials in addition to printed, digital, workshop and classroom maps since 1995. We also took into account the urban and rural ‘local icons’ created to enrich Version 2. As we moved toward the final phase, we invited the public’s input through our Icon Open Studio, both online and in NYC, to guarantee that this collaboration would create the best possible results.
In Version 3 we created our own icon 'pattern language' to guide design choices. We refined the iconography's twelve categories and extended the set with more climate change, activism, justice, green enterprise, technology, outdoor activities and indoor greening icons. To aid navigation, we also added public works and landmarks.
At GreenMap.org/icons, you can download the Icon Poster, definitions, slideshow and more. This updated set has been honored by and exhibited at the Eyebeam Art & Technology Center, adding to Green Map System's list of awards, which include 1996’s Gold International Eco-Award, 1999’s US National Award for Sustainability, 2001 Technology Benefiting Humanity Laureate, and 2007’s US EPA Environmental Quality Award to name a few. Version 3 icons will be used in the interactive social mapping platform, the Open Green Map (debuting in Fall 2008). Additionally, locations such as Santiago, Bucharest, and Baltimore are among the first to have published Green Maps with this new iconography.
Our thanks to all participants and supporters over the past five years!
In Version 3 we created our own icon 'pattern language' to guide design choices. We refined the iconography's twelve categories and extended the set with more climate change, activism, justice, green enterprise, technology, outdoor activities and indoor greening icons. To aid navigation, we also added public works and landmarks.
At GreenMap.org/icons, you can download the Icon Poster, definitions, slideshow and more. This updated set has been honored by and exhibited at the Eyebeam Art & Technology Center, adding to Green Map System's list of awards, which include 1996’s Gold International Eco-Award, 1999’s US National Award for Sustainability, 2001 Technology Benefiting Humanity Laureate, and 2007’s US EPA Environmental Quality Award to name a few. Version 3 icons will be used in the interactive social mapping platform, the Open Green Map (debuting in Fall 2008). Additionally, locations such as Santiago, Bucharest, and Baltimore are among the first to have published Green Maps with this new iconography.
Our thanks to all participants and supporters over the past five years!
Spring 07 Update
By Wendy Brawer - founding director, April 06, 2007 05:34 PM
Green Map Charts the Way to Vibrant Communities
The Green Map System (GMS) is a locally adaptable, globally shared framework for environmental mapmaking. It invites design teams of all ages and backgrounds to create Green Maps, which identify, promote and link sustainability, natural and cultural resources. Today, nearly 400 communities in 50 countries are participating, and over 300 unique Green Maps have been published.
Merging the ancient art of map making with new media tools, each of these maps creates a fresh perspective that helps residents discover and get involved in their community's environment, and helps guide tourists (even virtual ones) to successful green initiatives they can replicate back home. All Green Maps are linked on GreenMap.org.
Together, they form a powerful impression of how communities around the world are making progress toward ecological and cultural sustainability. By June 2007, you will be able to see much more about each project and its impacts, thanks to a redesigned website with a searchable content management system.
Think Global, Map Local!
Green Maps created in Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Cuba, and Brazil have already proven that inexpensive mapmaking projects have critical impacts on community networking, stewardship, education and quality of life. The network expands by over 60 new projects each year, and most recently, GreenMap.cn and MapaVerde.org have been created to involve more Chinese and Spanish speakers in the movement.
The updating of Green Map's award-winning iconography has been making slow but steady progress over the last couple of years. A special website was launched to collect concepts and feedback from the global network. Currently, we expect to finish Version 3 in late 2007- early 2008, reflecting our growing understanding of sustainability at the community level.
Help expand Green Map System's growth and reach - it's a great way to impact communities near and far!
The Green Map System (GMS) is a locally adaptable, globally shared framework for environmental mapmaking. It invites design teams of all ages and backgrounds to create Green Maps, which identify, promote and link sustainability, natural and cultural resources. Today, nearly 400 communities in 50 countries are participating, and over 300 unique Green Maps have been published.
Merging the ancient art of map making with new media tools, each of these maps creates a fresh perspective that helps residents discover and get involved in their community's environment, and helps guide tourists (even virtual ones) to successful green initiatives they can replicate back home. All Green Maps are linked on GreenMap.org.
Together, they form a powerful impression of how communities around the world are making progress toward ecological and cultural sustainability. By June 2007, you will be able to see much more about each project and its impacts, thanks to a redesigned website with a searchable content management system.
Think Global, Map Local!
Green Maps created in Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Cuba, and Brazil have already proven that inexpensive mapmaking projects have critical impacts on community networking, stewardship, education and quality of life. The network expands by over 60 new projects each year, and most recently, GreenMap.cn and MapaVerde.org have been created to involve more Chinese and Spanish speakers in the movement.
The updating of Green Map's award-winning iconography has been making slow but steady progress over the last couple of years. A special website was launched to collect concepts and feedback from the global network. Currently, we expect to finish Version 3 in late 2007- early 2008, reflecting our growing understanding of sustainability at the community level.
Help expand Green Map System's growth and reach - it's a great way to impact communities near and far!
