Green Maps illuminate the interconnections between society, nature and the built environment, helping residents get involved and make smarter lifestyle choices while also guiding visitors to successes they can replicate back home. Wendy Brawer
Project website: www.greenbristol.org.uk
GreenBristol aims to promote environmental awareness and community sustainability within Bristol by means of green mapping. Green mapping began in the early 1990s. Since then many projects have sprung up around the globe. A common element is the Green Map System - a visual language of green map icons.
Green mapping is an exciting tool for raising awareness around sustainable development. The diversity of projects around the world proves its versatility. It has been used to publicise the green economy, to highlight recycling opportunities, to foster networking, to chart renewable energy and energy efficiency options, to promote urban and wildlife tourism and outdoor recreation and as a tool in youth and adult education.
The GreenBristol project is being piloted in the Bristol New Deal for Communities area. This area covers Barton Hill, The Dings, Lawrence Hill and Redfield.
The centrepiece of the Pilot Project is an online map. This has three functions, relating roughly to past, present and future:
1 To create a forum in which local people can explore and discover the human, natural and environmental history of their locality; and so appreciate and value the distinctiveness of their living neighbourhood
2 To serve as a hub for local people to air their thoughts, feelings and concerns about the place where they live
3 To begin to imagine – and bring about - a city of the future
Local people are invited to contribute content in the form of text, image, audio and video. The project also encourages the making of creative content – poetry, photography, digital stories etc - as well as factual content.
Mapmaking is supported by public events - sociable and enjoyable events open to all. These are occasions to bring together experts and local people - experts in their own neighbourhood. They are a chance to explore and discover the local environment. Finally, public events are opportunities to create media assetts for the website involving the local community in a proactive way.
