Intellectual Merit

The principle aim of this primer is to demonstrate the next generation of crowd-sourced mapping and its potential not only to redefine our image of the city, but to form the basis for a new, open source, architecture and urbanism.

The secondary aim is to depict the relationship between the physical and the virtual and hint at a meeting of the two by way of augmented reality.

Beyond a purely cartographic categorisation of urban space, the recording process will not only encompass the tectonic, but the ephemeral. It will not be an exhaustive process, but a demonstration and subsequent representation, of a typical journey within the city.

Process

The mapping will involve the recording and logging of a range of information, split into two parts: the physical and the digital. The common factor will be time as I intend to produce two films, one for each, to be shown in sync.

The Physical

A real-time video sequence will be the focus. I intend to play upon the idea of an individual inhabiting the city by proposing to film the journey from the third person where the individual appears as an ‘agent’ in the urban environment. I have ordered a suitable lens but this will need careful testing as it may prove to be unsuccessful. In the event, I would instead obtain footage from a camera to imitate the perspective of the human eye. In addition I would record sound throughout the journey and make notes on ephemeral events relating to emotion and smell.

The Digital

The journey will be logged via GPS to record the route spatially. Video stills and sound will be geo-tagged within the sequence as captured ‘bytes’. The digital representation is most likely to consist of layers, mapped using KML, within Google Earth. There is an open source version of google earth relating to OpenStreetMap but unfortunately it is not particularly accessible.[1]

Methodology

I will need to conduct a number of pilots to ensure the combined success of the various elements. I have successfully logged a number tracks using the iPhone as a GPS receiver. Whilst it is not the most accurate device, I am keen to use it as an example in order to demonstrate the potential for scaleability. I have ordered a suitable wide-angle for the video footage but intend to begin recording as soon as possible.

The tricky part is the successful sequencing and synchronisation of the digital aspects to the physical footage. I am currently exploring this in greater detail.

Deliverables

A parallel film sequence with audio.

About George

George Metcalfe recently graduated with Distinction as Master of Architecture from the WSA. A freelance designer and multi-creative, he is interested in the intersection between architecture, urbanism and information communication technology.

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