Citizens as Sensors

Citizens as Sensors

Goodchild, M. F. (2007). Citizens as sensors: the world of volunteered geography. GeoJournal, 69(4), 211–221.

Until recently, mapping and using GIS has always been an esoteric practice.  It was almost as inaccessible to the common man as performing brain surgery or understanding rocket science. In this paper, the author describes a relatively recent phenomenon self-dubbed Volunteer Geographic Information, or VGI for short. VGI is a system of crowdsourcing geographical data that starkly contrasts the ways maps have previously been made. The author lists various fundamental technological breakthroughs and tools that have helped make VGI a reality. One majorly contributing factor is the evolution of Web 2.0 or the ability of internet users to share information over the Internet (i.e. the Internet we know and love). Another key innovation that led to easier spreading of ideas and subsequently, VGI, is broadband internet communication which makes high-speed information transfers possible. Other significant factors include various georeferencing (such as GPS), geocoding, and geotagging. While these terms may sound like technical jargon, they are actually simpler than they sound and are utilized within websites like Wikimapia, Openstreetmap, and Google Maps. Together these led to the advent of VGI- a vastly more democratic and egalitarian system than most geographers and GIS users are used to. 

Why should this populist form of map-making matter? Well the maps used and seen by everyone are primarily made by federal governments or agencies; a top-down system with little input from the general public. And as it turns out, according to this paper, federal governments all around the world are mapping their respective countries less and less. One can infer that the need for governments to keep their maps updated simply isn’t great enough for maintaining consistently accurate data. An alternative to more common form of uniform coverage practiced by governments is the mapping concept known as “patchwork.” This type of mapping is an inclusive system in which governments set up standards and protocols for others outside of the government to provide geographic input and create composite coverage maps. This system allows for many different groups to cooperate and collaborate when creating maps and can thus produce incredibly detailed representations.

The author’s conclusion is cautiously optimistic, mentioning some possible criticisms of VGI such as the inability to necessarily verify contributors’ credentials. This concern over the dubious origins of information submitted is similar to the concern felt by academics when reading a Wikipedia page. VGI is thus sometimes viewed as “assertive” and lacking in legitimate authority. A great example of the possible unreliability of information is exemplified when describing Google Maps’ datum differing significantly from NAD83 in some areas of California. With that said, this paper is for the most part hopeful when discussing the potential of VGI and its possible impact on GIS as a whole.