About EcoCitizens World Map

FAQ

What is the EcoCitizen World Map?
It is a world citizen crowdmap facilitated by Oakland, California, USA based nonprofit organization Ecocity Builders ('cities and urban issues' facilitator for the United Nations NGO Major Group) and nonprofit tech company Ushahidi.

What does it offer?
The map offers a place and a pathway for people everywhere to add their voices and be counted as contributing members of the new green and equitable economy. We want to help usher in the Ecozoic Era — an emerging epoch where humanity lives in a mutually enriching relationship with the larger community of life on Earth.

How do I join the Map?
1. Click on "Submit a Report".
2. Enter a name for your initiative, project, green business, observation, commitment, pledge, etc.
3. Provide a short description.
4. Check the categories that best fit the project.
5. Add contact info if you want to cross connect with others.
6. Enter in the address where it says "find location" and "refine location name"
7. Add other info if you have it - photos, video links, urls.
8. Submit!

What are the categories all about?
The Map's categories are based on the Ecocity Framework - which understands cities and human settlements as urban ecosystems with both bio-physical and socio-cultural elements (the 15 categories).  Like natural ecosystems, urban ecosystems include concentrations of people and economies, and the built environment as well as the productive ecosystems generating the energy and matter required to sustain the whole. Only if the urban system is ecologically and socially complete and healthy does it have a chance of becoming self-reliant and sustainable.

What kinds of things should I add to the map?
Anything that has to do with one of the categories - a community garden project (food), a clean energy project (energy), waterway restoration, bioswale (water), a green business (economy), an urban wildlife corridor added (biodiversity, ecological integrity), new bicycle pathway (access), new infill project so more people can live near transit and daily needs (access), tree planting projects (quality of life, air), soil remediation projects (soil), ecoliteracy projects and programs (education)... anything that is improving the health of the complete urban ecosystem somewhere in the world that you are involved with.

Why would I "Get Alerts?"
Sign up for Get Alerts if you want to be notified when others in your area add something to the map.

Is there a tie to Rio+20?
The EcoCitizen World Map is launching during the lead up to Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, with help from, among others, the Santa Teresa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. We are inviting all parties interested in increasing visibility and outreach for their Rio+20 related work around the world to join as part of the Rio+20 process.

What about after Rio+20?
The EcoCitizen World Map will continue on after Rio+20 and will continue to develop and build out.

What else is planned for the EcoCitizen World Map?
We are currently developing additional tools and uses, including a GIS enrichment add on for the map, a web based storytelling platform, and a sustainable cities framework and standards with indicators corresponding to the 15 categories.