Development Maps (Monmonier)

“…maps are anybody’s weapon…” (p.81)

Monmonier in this chapter on “Development Maps” depicts the role that maps play in shaping the planning process in municipalities. In particular, the focus is on how maps are a “tool of persuasion” for specific interests groups such as developers. It also points to the resource split in communities around map-making, as a community group concerned about the developer’s proposals, may not have the financial resources to present a opposing map and if they do it may not be as sophisticated as the developers, impacting the ability to communicate on equal ground.
Different types of maps are highlighted in the chapter, that are used by municipal planners to make decisions on land-use including three main types zoning, a master plan, and an official map. In addition maps of ecosystems, soil and other natural features can be brought in through environmental assessments for projects. The process of utilizing these different levels of maps is put forward to make sound decisions around land-use in communities. However, maps do not always represent adequately what is on the ground or what is actually in the development plan.
To illustrate this, Monmonier lays out eleven rules for developers to follow in order to manipulate or “polish” the maps and in turn the process of decision-making. These somewhat satiric rules, demonstrate how easy it is for interest groups to present information in a seemingly truthful format, a map. Hence the rule “generalize creatively” provides advice on how to enhance what you want to emphasize and diminish features to persuade the community. Another interesting rule is to add mundane details such as lots of tree stamps to the maps. This small act can drastically change the impression of the map, which is demonstrated in Figure 6.4. The article further explores the tax assessment process, as way to illustrate the review process, drawing on maps that specifically emphasize the points to be made. Such as drawing of houses that are over taxed, on a cadastral style map, that shows it much larger relative to tax assessments in the neighborhoods. This kind of map is a kind of a propaganda-cadastral map that provides a visual appeal to the decision-makers.
The discussion and examples within this article, provides an example of how maps can be shaped towards the interests of the mapmakers. Although the examples are hypothetical and at times slightly mocking the municipal process’s it shows how maps, can be taken for truth just because they are maps, not matter how easily manipulated, and this acceptance can drastically impact what does happen in reality, hence the quote “…maps are anybody’s weapon…” (p.81).