In essence, maps for public health emergencies belong to the category of emergency maps but are also quite different from traditional emergency maps. Emergency map is a typical form of expression for spatial geographic information related to major emergencies. Most of the traditional emergency maps are oriented to sudden natural disasters, of which the service objects typically are the government emergency management department and the relevant institutions. They are mostly applied to assist with scheduling and distribution of emergency resources, the generation of emergency plans, and the deployment of management work (Katzburg et al. 2020; Xu et al. 2020b). By comparison with a major emergency, a public health emergency has higher requirements for efficiency of information disclosure and cooperation between the government and the public due to its broader and acuter impacts on the public life. This leads to the discrepancies on service objects, data analysis, thematic content, and representation of the map design and compilation for public health emergencies (Brice 2020; Chapin and Sen Roy 2021), which is shown in Fig. 1. The main purpose of these adjustments on map design is to help the public holistically understand the spatiotemporal characteristics of the epidemic and implications of related policies from the limited and fragmented information available. Thus, these maps can implement features that reduce social panic and encourage the public to actively cooperate with the requirements and initiatives of the relevant departments and medical institutions that guard against the epidemic (Xu et al. 2020a).
To close the research gaps, this paper constructs a conceptual framework for thematic content selection with predominant emphasis on comprehensive organization and expression of risk information at multi-spatiotemporal scales which couples with the narrative logic. As a universal theoretical methodology, this framework can be flexibly adjusted according to different target areas, event cycle, and trend. Then, using the COVID-19 outbreak in Shenzhen, China, as an example, this paper illustrates how to establish a three-dimensional spatiotemporal-logic structure for selecting thematic content of COVID-19 maps. The Shenzhen case also explains the specific way and related visualization approaches to transform epidemic data to objects for cartographic representation with proper modes and principles. This study provides a guidance for the design of maps for public health emergencies, both in theory and in practice, aiming to depict the dynamics of the epidemic at different scales to reproduce and assess its evolutionary process and future trend as well as help the public understand their circumstances and roles in epidemic prevention.
Cartography: Thematic Map Design Download Pdf
First, the cartographic representation should follow the basic requirements of specialization, standardization, and readability, ensuring the map expression is fully coincident with the thematic content. According to demands of COVID-19 map design based on the conceptual framework with the spatiotemporal-logic structure, the principles for determining the objects and modes of cartographic representation should be followed as:
The theory of mass communication indicates that all readers utilize a pre-determined reference system to receive information (Malpass 2016). Using color design as an example, the use of red often indicates an increase in the outbreak numbers and therefore plays a role in warning the public (Adams et al. 2008; Landa 1996). Green, on the other hand, often indicates the number of people cured, bringing hope and comfort to the public (Adams et al. 2008; Landa 1996). This means that the COVID-19 maps need to adhere to this familiar and expected visualization. In particular, due to the high similarity of data forms, the representation modes in different temporal scales have a lot in common as well. Thus, combining both the principles and practical application, and based on the classical representation of thematic maps, the specific objects and modes of cartographic representation for the maps about Latest Dynamic Delivery are set and shown in Table 2.
According to the thematic content system in Fig. 5, this paper presents 6 examples of map design, grouped by themes of Latest Dynamic Delivery, Epidemic Circumstances Summary and Future Trend and Prediction. These maps show the application effect of the conceptual framework of thematic content selection with the spatiotemporal-logic structure in practice. The maps mainly take the warm color scheme (yellow/red) complemented by cold color scheme (blue/gray) to indicate the epidemic risk and dynamics, which have been proved with remarkable strengths in visual cognition and understanding of the public (Fang et al. 2021).
In view of the limitations of the research on map design for public health emergencies, this paper establishes a conceptual framework for thematic content selection with a three-dimensional spatiotemporal-logic structure. As a theoretical foundation for determining the thematic content and visualization approaches of map design for health public emergencies, the framework conducts to depict the dynamics of the epidemic at different scales to reproduce and assess its evolutionary process and future trend, guiding the public to understand their circumstances and roles in epidemic prevention. It also uses the COVID-19 outbreak in Shenzhen as an example to illustrate the specific way and processes to provide theoretical and technical support for the map design. To our knowledge, this paper is the very first study to bring the thematic content of maps for public health emergencies to the fore. It has changed the service mode of traditional maps to a certain extent, enhancing and optimizing the rationality, validity, and legibility of map design for public health emergencies.
This week, we'll be making two map layouts with the same data, so as to compare two different thematic mapping techniques. During this lab, you'll also be downloading some of the data yourself, and choosing a census variable and location based on your interests. This lab is our first thematic mapping lab, but when mapping, you should integrate your design knowledge from previous lessons, such as techniques for creating balanced map layouts and neat map marginalia. The lab requirements are listed below: you should reference this page periodically as you work on the lab, and review the lab rubric as well before submitting your work.
GEOG 2102 - Introduction to Cartographic DesignA study of cartography and its essential processes, with particular emphasis on the map as a communication system, the effective communication of data by means of graphical symbols, map interpretation and geovisualization, and thematic map design and production techniques. Credit Hours: (4)Most Recently Offered (Day): Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018Most Recently Offered (Evening): Course has not been offered at this time in the past 3 yearsView the Spring 2023 Schedule of Classes
Many methods exist for both generalising (simplifying) and representing (depicting) thematic content on maps (Slocum 1999; Dent et al. 2009). Extensive options mean that strikingly different maps can be created from a single set of data. Such choices for representing the data may have important impacts on how the map is perceived and interpreted (Monmonier 1996). While a map may be designed to convey a single dataset of interest, it does not convey a single universal message. Each user constructs their own individual knowledge from interpreting the different symbols, colours, and expressions on the map (Bertin 1983; MacEachren 1995). Some key thematic map properties for which it is important to consider the choice of representational style are: data classification, map content, and colour scheme (Monmonier 1996; Dent et al. 2009).
Map content is another important property which can influence interpretation of thematic maps (Monmonier 1996; Dent et al. 2009). Background content, such as boundaries, rivers, and landforms, are provided as points of reference for the reader, and are essential for users to be able to orient themselves with the data. Haynes et al. (2007) and Nave et al. (2010) found that selection of background content can have a significant influence on how well readers understand volcanic hazard maps, particularly among local populations living proximal to the volcano. The representation of thematic feature content also has an impact on how readers interpret the map. Probabilistic hazard datasets are typically quite robust in that they often include a range of data types (e.g., volcanic ash thickness, ash grain size) at multiple levels of uncertainty (e.g., 90th percentile, average) over a number of different time frames (e.g., in the event of an eruption, in the next 10 years). For example, some probabilistic volcanic hazard map toolsets are currently being designed to output two types of mappable content: a distribution of the probabilities of reaching and exceeding a fixed hazard intensity threshold (e.g., 10 mm of ash), or a distribution of hazard intensities expected at a fixed probability threshold (e.g., 25%) over any user-defined timeframe (Tonini et al. in press). Certain types of hazard information may have different meanings and salience to different types of map users.
A pragmatic mixed-methods approach was adopted (Morgan 2007), where qualitative semi-structured in-person interviews were implemented as a pilot study to test ideas and questions which informed the development of a qualitative and quantitative online survey exploring the influence of probabilistic volcanic hazard map design properties on understanding and communicating hazard. Inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was used to identify themes regarding how scientists and stakeholders felt about certain map design properties and how they engaged with the hazard maps. Design properties which emerged as themes which have a sensitive or powerful impact on interpretation of the hazard maps were explored further in the survey among a broader sample group. Both methodological components of this study were individually approved by a human participation ethics committee. 2ff7e9595c
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