The Gall-Peters Bias: A Map’s Politics
The world map hanging in your classroom was a lie, but not a malicious one. This article explores the hidden politics of map projections, contrasting the familiar, colonial-era Mercator with…
Tag: spatial justice
Brownfield Sites: From Wasteland to Park
Uncover the geography of urban renewal as we explore brownfield sites—the contaminated, post-industrial scars on our cities. This journey reveals how environmental science and landscape design converge to transform these…
Uncontacted Tribes and Their Geography
Deep within the world's most inaccessible landscapes, like the Amazon rainforest and remote islands, a few indigenous groups choose to live in complete isolation. Their survival is a testament to…
Gerrymander: Drawing to Win an Election
** Look at a map of U.S. congressional districts and you might find some bizarre shapes resembling everything from earmuffs to praying mantises. This isn't accidental; it's the result of…
The Geography of Global Happiness
Why are some countries consistently ranked as "happier" than others? The answer may lie on the map itself, as national well-being is deeply intertwined with geographical factors—from the human-scale design…
Hostile Architecture: Designing People Out
Uncover the controversial practice of hostile architecture, where urban spaces are intentionally engineered with spikes, slopes, and dividers to control behavior. These subtle design choices determine who feels welcome in…
Vertical Slums vs. Luxury Towers
In megacities like Mumbai and São Paulo, the battle for space has gone vertical, creating a startling new geography of inequality. Gleaming luxury skyscrapers and precarious 'vertical slums' exist side-by-side,…
The Geography of Fear in Urban Spaces
Ever felt a prickle of unease walking down a deserted street at night? That feeling isn't just in your head; it's a direct response to the physical environment around you.…
Acoustic Geography: Mapping Soundscapes
Beyond the visual landmarks and physical terrain, every place on Earth has a unique sonic signature. This is the realm of acoustic geography, a fascinating field that maps the world…
Counter-Mapping: Maps as Protest
Beyond mere navigation, maps are powerful tools of protest. Discover how indigenous communities and activists are redrawing the world through counter-mapping, a form of resistance that uses cartography to challenge…