User-generated storytelling based on analog maps with local and dynamic georeferencing

Abstract

Maps are important vehicles for storytelling. Although the ubiquity of current web mapping services has brought great conveniences to creating map-based content, they also bring restrictions in map representation. Conventional analog maps are still being created and widely used. Some of the well-designed ones are highly contextual, and are more suitable for storytelling with related backgrounds. To utilize analog maps in location-aware mobile environments for storytelling, local and dynamic georeferencing is introduced to attach geospatial information to the analog map images without stretching them and destroying the artistic designs. A data format extended from a popular GIS data standard is designed, for creating and sharing storytelling content easily by attach multimedia resources to georeferenced map images. In cooperation with local communities, prototype developments realized tools for map-based storytelling content creation and smartphone applications for browsing the content in walking tours.