Abstract

Pointillist Cartography for Data-Driven Analysis
Track: Mapping
Authors: Patrick Miner

This presentation gives an overview of several strategies for applying pointillist cartography for use in data-driven analysis.

First, an academic research example: The project asked, 'To what extent has Chicago been ethnically segregated and what models are available for understanding population history in spatial context?' Under-utilized population data were uncovered, digitized, and converted into sets of points representing individuals. A series of pointillist maps was then created. The maps demonstrated that many histories of Chicago have misrepresented populations and exaggerated segregation.

The second project mapped the residency of attendees of an architecture festival. These data -- plotted in points rather than bordered zones -- demonstrated the success of the festival in encouraging Chicago residents to explore new communities. The maps were then pivotal components of funding proposals for future incarnations of the festival. Marketing strategies were also developed from the maps -- e.g. target markets for advertising were identified.