Collection of Sketch Map Data Through Social Surveys

Abstract

Sketch maps are widely recognized as a method for capturing spatial images or mental maps of cities and the world. However, most previous studies have focused on specific groups, such as university students, and have not adequately captured the perspectives of people with diverse attributes and experiences. In response to this gap, we designed and conducted a social survey in 2023 — the GULP-2023 Sketch Map Survey — to collect a broad range of sketch maps from the general population. This paper documented the survey methods and presented a portion of the collected data in tabulated form. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of conducting time-series and longitudinal surveys to describe and analyze changes in mental maps and their influencing factors, and emphasized the need for the systematic accumulation and sharing of sketch map data.