Mapping informal geographies

Abstract

In traditional mapping we usually visualise data with defined relationships to geographic space and time. Informal geographies are about non-physical/human geographic information, where, usually, the content cannot be ‘geotagged’. Before these topics can be mapped the information has to be spatialised in some way. Due to the fact that the resulting depictions lack ‘traditional’ geographic information they are mostly not considered to be ‘maps’ in a common sense. These maps do not represent geographies that map users are accustomed to, but maps of ‘other’ geographies. This paper will introduce informal geographies, their spaces and visualizations. It will also report on the CHIS (Cultural History Information System) project located at the University of Vienna and sponsored by the Austrian Science Found, where informal geographies are being mapped using contemporary techniques.