ART
ARCHITECTURE
& HISTORY
in the Public Realm








Mapping the Cityscape

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Manhattan Grid, Mapping the Cityscape focuses on the ways in which mapping influences our perception of the environment. Historically, cartographers created maps to document the built environment to ease navigation and ensure the safety of both city dwellers and travelers. With developments in desktop publishing, mapmakers were empowered with tools to create diagrammatic and interpretive maps that conveyed more layers of information. Maps began to move beyond the pure documentation of our surroundings to a more holistic understanding of place.

Technological advances, including the advent of GIS (Geographic Information System), Google maps, and smart phone technology, have further expanded the scope of the medium to embrace user-generated input. This has also enabled the juxtaposition of more complex datasets, resulting in more publicly accessible information.

Mapping the Cityscape addresses the state of mapmaking by showing some of the most provocative maps of Manhattan from 1609 – 2011, including ecological, historic, transportation, planning, cultural, civic data and aerial maps. We encourage design professionals from all disciplines and the general public to explore and engage these new methodologies to better shape our urban landscape.

Exhibition - Design Credits

cultureNOW
Curators / Exhibition Design: Abby Suckle FAIA; Seetha Raghupathy

Project Team: David Giglio; Anne Lewison AIA RAIC; Courtney Williams; Caroline Kaplan; Jessica Edwards; Anna Heineman; Kate Diebler; Jianxing Chen; Ernesto Martinez

Partners
  • Brooklyn Experimental Media Center – New York University
  • Center for Urban Research - City University of New York
  • Google
  • New York Public Library
  • Spatial Information Design Lab - Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation at Columbia University
  • Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Tauranac Maps
  • The Environmental Simulation Center, Ltd.

Special Thanks To:
Dattner Architects
The Mohawk Group
Karastan