Editorial

Issue 14

We are delighted to present this special issue on critical mapping in higher education—an exceptional and groundbreaking practice that is revolutionizing our perception of urban spaces. In this curated collection of articles, we invite you to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, delving into innovative perspectives on spatial relationships and power dynamics within cities. As you traverse these thought-provoking pages, you will uncover new ways to challenge traditional thinking and inspire meaningful engagement with your environment, ultimately realizing the transformative potential of critical cartography.

Our issue is organized into three fascinating sections—Navigations, Waypoints, and Mapworks—each offering a unique glimpse into groundbreaking research that showcases the multifaceted and far-reaching implications of critical cartography. In line with the immersive learning experience offered by this special issue, we have crafted a visual mapping that integrates all the images from the various sessions.

We encourage you to engage with this issue by mapping your own unique path of exploration and discovery. The following sections offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of insights you'll uncover as you delve into the world of critical mapping within higher education.

In Navigations, prepare to be enthralled by the intricate interplay between game-based learning, urban development, and community engagement in Jens Brandt's "Play Salo and Space Transformers." This captivating piece illustrates the power of interactive learning methods to bridge the gap between academia and local communities, fostering collaborative urban regeneration. Then journey into the digital realm of medical crowdfunding with Jin-Kyu Jung, Nora Kenworthy, and Hayley Park, as they unveil the potential of critical and creative geovisualization to stimulate public engagement and challenge authoritative knowledge surrounding healthcare practices.

In Waypoints, you will be transported on an enlightening adventure, where Felipe Saravia Cortés applies the Lefebvrian lens to social work education in "Observing the City through the Lefebvrian Lens in Social Work Education." This article demonstrates the value of integrating spatial theories into social work curricula, promoting a critical understanding of urban spaces and their underlying social complexities. Next, discover the profound influence of critical sound cartography on professional identity in Daniel Gutiérrez-Ujaque, Vika Kleiman, and Almudena Ocaña-Fernández's "Listen, Learn, and Create." Their pioneering approach to audiovisual methodology highlights the interconnectedness of social and historical contexts, fostering innovative cognitive and affective perspectives.

In Mapworks, you will uncover the untapped potential of cartographic catalysts in architectural education, as demonstrated by Nicola Crowson and Tina Wallbridge in "Cartographic Catalysts: Activating the Architectural (Postgraduate) Studio." Their compelling exploration of mapping practices in a Master of Architecture program reveals the power of cartographic catalysts to spark imaginative and forward-thinking architectural design. Quim Bonastra's "The Map Becomes the Territory" offers profound insights on artistic installations and their relationship to cartographic theories, encouraging reflection on issues such as scale, representation, and the epistemological implications of merging reality and representation. Finally, Gloria Jové's "An Atlas of Pedagogical Material and a Pedagogical Museum for Educational Innovation in Higher Education" introduces a pioneering methodology for employing cartographic materials from a pedagogical museum archive, promoting critical cartographies and sustainable perspectives in higher education.

As you immerse yourself in these enthralling articles, our aim is to ignite your curiosity, fuel stimulating conversations, and underscore the indispensable role of critical cartography in shaping the urban landscapes of the future. We wholeheartedly encourage you to join us on this intellectual voyage as we uncover the limitless potential of critical mapping in higher education, forging new paths towards a more equitable and interconnected world. Finally, we welcome any comments or feedback on this special issue, and especially how it has been used to inform your own work.

Daniel Gutiérrez-Ujaque and Mike Duggan, Editors, April 2023 
daniel.gutierrez@udl.cat / michael.duggan@livingmaps.org.uk