It’s fascinating to think about all of the different ways you can package and present data. At Radish we’ve been especially interested in the ways cause-based organizations can use cartography to communicate effectively and differently across audiences.
Visualizing data makes social issues personal and relatable, easy to understand, and shines a whole new light on how to use data to change perspectives and drive change. Here are five of our favorite examples:
- MappingPoliceViolence.org highlights the unjust police violence that exists in our country in a way that really resonates with users. You can compare cities and places, see national trends, and look at monthly violence reports. Most importantly, you can use this tool to hold government officials accountable--a key step to driving real change in your community and nationwide.
- EnvisioningDevelopment.net shows income demographics and rents in neighborhoods across New York City by way of interactive map. Users can click into neighborhoods, and use a series of sliding scales to gauge monthly rent compared to yearly salary.
- The Justice Map helps users to visualize race and data income for your community, city, and country. The data is provided by the Census Bureau and is open source so it can be repurposed and reused by anyone who wants to.
- The Accidental Skyline project shines a light on building development in New York. The project aims to engage New Yorkers in the development process, promote transparency, and provide opportunities to get involved before buildings are built and shadows are cast.
- This Global Forest Watch interactive experience shares data around forest change, land cover, land use, and conservation through a very visual experience. Users can apply filters to highlight what’s happening in countries across the world, and even read personal stories of real people affected by these environmental challenges.
Are you using cartography for social change? What are your favorite examples?
