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Many of the maps and plans in the exhibition, and in the library’s collections more broadly, show perspectives of the city as seen from “on high”—both literally and metaphorically. Historically, maps have often been in the hands of those with the power to reshape cities and regions, from military surveyors to municipal administrators. By the middle of the twentieth century, both politicians and community groups were demanding more opportunities to draw maps in a more democratic fashion, bringing people from all walks of life into the decision-making processes that determine how the city’s geographies look today and in the future. From the lines drawn for voting districts to routes for new transportation networks and plans for addressing environmental crises, Bostonians began to take a more plural approach to mapping the city. The computer revolution in cartography also introduced possibilities for mapping the city in new ways. As Boston continues to evolve, how will maps document and determine the future of this ever-changing city?
