Project Brighton

On the face, it may seem like a crazy idea to get people to create a collaborative map. Just as Wikipedia was received with sceptism, OpenStreetMap seems even more crazy, difficult or even impossible.

The fact that the whole of Brighton has been mapped by individuals is testimony that we have a committed digital and forward thinking community. You just need to compare the Brighton OpenStreetMap to Google Maps. Which would you choose?

What is Open Street Map?

It is a map that can be edited by anyone. All you need is a GPS device, the OpenStreetMap site and the ability to navigate places by foot, bicycle, skateboard…you name it!

Why bother if we have the likes of Google Maps?

• Mapping data is not free
• Maps are car centered - they miss out important bits such as footpaths and lovely green grass.
• Mistakes can’t be corrected
• Maps cannot be reused or printed
• Changes happen quickly - why wait years when you could submit the change today?

The map of Brighton

Mikel Maron has been a core leader in developing the Brighton Map to what it is now today. The awareness of Open Street Maps within the Brighton area is certainly down to his continous hard work, promotion and presentations on the subject.

What can you do?

Why not help promote the cause by:

• contributing to the map
• link to the map from your website or business
• blog or write about it
• get a free poster and put it some to be seen
• devise creative ways to use the data