Mapping in Modern Google Maps Era
In the world of mapping, Mamata Akella stands out as a prominent figure, known for her expertise in both paper and digital cartography. Akella, the chief cartographer for the digital mapping company Felt, has made significant contributions to various fields, including historical, geographical, and environmental studies.
Akella's digital maps are renowned for their compatibility with a variety of devices and platforms, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. One of her key achievements is the creation of user-friendly and accessible digital maps that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each client.
The Smithsonian and the National Park Service are among the esteemed clients that have benefited from Akella's digital mapping work. Her maps, designed to provide real-time updates, have proven to be an invaluable tool, offering the most current information available.
While digital maps offer numerous advantages, such as interactivity, real-time updates, layers of information, and integration with GPS for location awareness, Akella also acknowledges the merits of paper maps. Paper maps offer a tactile interaction, ease of use without electronic devices or batteries, and a simplicity that can enhance spatial understanding. They are reliable in environments where digital devices can fail or lack signal.
However, paper maps do have their downsides. They can be bulky, less easily updated, and lack interactivity or dynamic data layers. On the other hand, digital maps can overwhelm users with too much information, and sometimes reduce users’ spatial memory compared to paper maps. They depend on electronic devices and power, and may suffer from connectivity issues.
Despite these downsides, Akella's digital maps have been recognised for their innovative and effective approach to cartography. Her work in the field has been instrumental in bridging the gap between traditional paper maps and the digital age, offering a balanced solution that caters to the needs of both users and clients.
Technology plays a crucial role in Akella's innovative work, as she employs data-and-cloud-computing solutions to create digital maps that are customizable and offer real-time updates. These maps are designed to be compatible with various devices and platforms, making them accessible to a wide range of users, arguably a testament to technology's transformative impact on cartography.
