Sparkgeo is a geo-spatial web development company whose mission is to drive “global impacts using maps and the Internet.” They focus on making data and map-making accessible to clients through their consultancy, and help them create site-specific maps on a case-by-case basis, catering to each client’s individual wishes in the best and most pragmatic way possible.
The CEO of Sparkgeo William Cadell was kind enough to give us some more insight into his views on the future of web-based geo-spatial analysis, and how sparkgeo fits into this new digital mapping world:
“We are seeing the convergence of devices and technologies. This means we are getting closer to a point where a device can emulate, to some extent what a map has done for society previously. We are also in a time now, where we are blessed with access to some quite amazing technologies (Mapbox, CartoDB, Mapnik, PostGIS) allowing us to build unique, interesting, and interactive cartographic products.
One example of their most recent work are a large-scale map called Over the Horizon for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which uses several overlaying sets of raster data to show how differing levels of consumption in different countries affect the rest of the world. The initial focus of the project was to represent the effect of consumption on Tiger Conservation Landscapes, but the data has expanded to show influences on other global aspects such as eco-regions and biodiversity hotspots.
Another one of sparkgeo’s projects was creating an extensive web mapping and framework for the Mammoth Lakes Trail and Public Access foundation to help the public learn about their trail network. The features include an application that links together trails and recommendations for users, an update and alert system, and a series of QR codes along the trail that give hikers the option to link to Mammoth Trail information while on-the-go. The new sparkgeo design has lead to web-traffic activity on the Mammoth Trail website increasing to 8000 visits per week, and is continually growing.
Sparkgeo is an excellent example of how innovative and creative geo-spatial and geographic technology can make an important contribution to a variety of different fields and issues. Geography is a highly interdisciplinary field and its functions are only expanding in our increasingly connected and globalized world.
Written by: Christopher Ewell, AGS Intern on June 4, 2015