Fresina, Frances.Development Maps (or, How to Seduce the Town Board)

In this article, Mark Monmonier discusses other important ways to use maps. He states that the map is an important persuasive tool when approaching a community planning board or any type of board. Different types of maps are that are important to planning boards are zoning maps, the master plan, environmental data, right of way, as well as concept diagrams. Monmonier also gives “rules” for preparing map for presentation. The rules are basically how to manipulate the viewer to only see what you want them to and to lead them in your favor by hiding the undesirable aspects of the plan like dumpsters, traffic, and such. Maps can also be used in assessment reviews. This article brought up ways of using maps that I haven’t thought of before like zoning and also how to effectively use maps not just for analysis that are often not looked at again but to use the map to help sell an idea.