MapLab is a Medialab workgroup established to conduct moderator-supervised studies on spatial planning and urban design in Katowice. We are currently working to produce data visualisations based on a survey of participants of cultural events which was conducted by Medialab as part of the Shared Cities project.
The team uses open GIS (geographic information system) software and online data visualisation tools, such as OpenStreetMap, MapBox and Carto. We have geographical data about participants of events acquired through surveys, as well as resources obtained from online news services and social media.
In previous years, the workgroup members carried out studies of Katowice’s green areas, developed a concept for a map of Katowice buildings and prepared maps to visualise data on Kościuszko Street.
The meetings can be attended by individuals who have not yet had the opportunity to try their hand at spatial data analysis. Participants are recommended to have a laptop computer with administrator rights on which to install the software.
OpenStreetMap
Participants will become familiar with the OpenStreetMap project, as we discuss the project’s principles and the links between the basic map components (node, line, area). We will provide hands-on instruction on how to add, edit, filter and export data within OSM.
Carto
Participants will learn the foundations of the CARTO platform. Based on the data exported from OpenStreetMap, we will create an interactive map suitable for sharing on-line or embedding on a website.
QGIS
Participants will learn the basics of GIS software and perform simple analyses based on Katowice-related databases.
Mapbox
Participants will learn the Mapbox Studio Classic application, with which we will create a background written using the CartoCSS style sheet language.
Paweł Marynowski
Electrical engineering graduate from the Silesian University of Technology who works as a front-end developer for one of the Silesian companies. In his leisure time, he contributes to such projects as OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia. He serves as Member of the board at the association OpenStreetMap Poland association.
Philosopher and architect, whose interests include urban planning and researching urban development processes with the use of spatial information systems. He has authored a number of analytical mapping studies as part of projects delivered by the Warsaw Museum, Museum of Modern Art (Warsaw), Institute of Architecture (Kraków), Medialab Katowice and BWA Contemporary Art Gallery (Wrocław).