The mapping project I chose was the ReVilna mapping project. Here, maps are used to provide an understanding of history \u2013 specifically the Vilnius Ghetto, a Jewish ghetto from World War II.<\/p>\n
The mapping project assumes that the viewer has a basic awareness of the context behind the Vilnius Ghetto, which may not be the case. For example, before viewing this mapping project, I knew nothing about the Vilnius Ghetto. As the area the ghetto was situated in was unidentified, I had to google to find out that the ghetto was situated in a Nazi-controlled area of Lithuania.<\/p>\n
The map also assumes the viewer is aware of the timeline for German occupation of Europe. While each map\u2019s section has events ordered chronologically, when it comes to understanding the timeline of events, the map feels fragmented and unhelpful because no complete timeline is provided.<\/p>\n
This map was likely created from the perspective of a historian or academic \u2013 someone already knowledgeable about the event. The division of the map into sections like \u201cHealth and Education\u201d and \u201cLife and Culture\u201d and provision of a search bar assume one already knows what he or she is looking for.<\/p>\n
The map reveals the precise locations of different historical events. For example, in the \u201cFormation of Ghetto\u201d section, the location of the Great Provocation is marked on the map. The pinpointing of locations allows for a more precise understanding of history.<\/p>\n
One is also able to note spatial clustering. Using the \u201cAll Events and Places\u201d section, one can see that health facilities are often located close together. This is also true for religious facilities.<\/p>\n
However, the map obscures what the area and its buildings looked like previously, and pictures provided may not be helpful. For example, the \u201corphanage\u201d picture does not show the orphanage’s exterior, but only people within the orphanage. One is also unable to see what the area and its buildings look like today and deduce how the area evolved over time.<\/p>\n
If I could create an alternate map, I would give it greater zoom capability, at least to a point where the city and country the ghetto is located in become identifiable. If not, I would identify the country and city by indicating them on the map.<\/p>\n
I would also show the area\u2019s actual physical appearance (like on Google Maps). Even if I cannot show past physical appearance, I would show the present-day physical appearance so one can visualize the area and possibly imagine its evolution over time.<\/p>\n
I would better integrate pictures with the map\u2019s narrative. For example, in the \u201cSoup Kitchen\u201d subsection, I would put a small picture of the actual soup kitchen in the description, or as a small pop-up on the map so viewers can see what is being referred to.<\/p>\n
I would also create a separate map layer for casual viewers. It would introduce the rough timeline of and key places in the Vilnius Ghetto so viewers will not be overwhelmed by having to go through each section.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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