Mérida Neighborhood Project
Stuck inside for quarantine for 3 months can drive most people to the breaking point which is part of the reason I searched the internet for the 18th hour of the day. I found that there was no general information or map of the 428+ neighborhoods in Mérida, Mexico, our current home base. Not sure exactly why I felt obligated to build it but it was better than watching Netflix all day.
My History With Neighborhood Maps
This is not my first map project. In my hometown of Portland, Oregon I used to essentially destroy grassy yards to create space for Native Habitats. I would lay cardboard and newspaper everywhere and bring in tons of soil, leaves and other organic material to make space for hundreds of native plants that I had lying in wait. On a different kind of quarantine called the rainy season in Portland, I built an interactive map. Using historical data and lone wolf trees to map the entire city of Portland, I recreated plant maps for microclimates in specific areas of Portland. Homeowners could use it as a guide to replant their local communities with local plants that would benefit the environmental community.
This project inspired me and others to look at their city in a new way and connect it with Nature. It also brought a lot of people together. This was my intention with the Mérida Neighborhood Map Project as well.
Connecting With One Another Through The Love Of Your Neighborhood
In the Mérida Neighborhood Map Project, I wanted to connect people with their city by connecting them with what is great about where they live and why people should not ever stop exploring and looking for interesting things in their hometown. I wanted to highlight local restaurants (especially now), local parks that would make great meet up spots, and basically things to do or see. I feel that in my life I tend to explore the same areas over and over without leaving the newly created bubble I create when moving to a new house. When I move I also think to myself “why didn’t I explore this area earlier?”
I hope people never stop exploring because you never know what is around the next corner, especially here in Mérida.
If you have a chance to check out the project, that is great!!
If you live in Mérida and have a chance to contribute a little information about why you love the neighborhood you live in, even better.
As this is a community-built-project I would love to know what you think and what you would like to know when you are looking at a new place. I would also love to know what you would like to know about someone else’s neighborhood.
FILL OUT SURVEY FOR MÉRIDA NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT HERE
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on where you live in Mérida!
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