Boundaries of Home: Mapping for Local Empowerment

Simon Dalby is an assistant professor of geography at Carleton
University in Ottawa.

Boundaries of Home examines the use of maps by bioregionalists and
environmentalists as a tool in local planning. Edited and partly written
by community planner and map aficionado Doug Aberley, the book adopts a
hands-on approach that community activists can use to amass and organize
information about localities and resources. While technical aspects of
professional mapmaking are covered, Aberley’s main goal is to
demythologize cartography while making the skills of mapping accessible
to everyone.

Following a general introduction, Chapter 2 discusses aboriginal maps
as a source of inspiration for local mapping. In Chapter 3, a series of
short case studies depict the use of maps as local planning tools.
Chapter 4 summarizes contemporary developments in cartography, while
Chapter 5 provides a lengthy “how-to” primer for community
activists. A final chapter offers an extensive guide to sources of
information on mapping techniques and technologies. Although accessible
to a wide audience, Boundaries of Home would be of particular use to
community planners and activists interested in local issues.