3D Projection Mapping, or Urban Projection Mapping, seems to be becoming more popular every year. It’s basically a motion graphics technique that involves taking footage of a building’s facade, editing the clip in post-production with special effects and projecting the edited footage directly onto its original source.

Only really beginning in the early 2000s for the use in music concerts (Gorillaz and Madonna at the 2007 European MTV Awards), the technique has become popular for advertisements and art shows across the world. Advertisers have become well aware of the urban projection mapping trend, having hired video artists to present their wares to the world (see Amsterdam H&M store opening right).

It’s also taken off as a place marketing tool for cities to show off their greatest buildings and landmarks, as well as a campaign mechanism to convey particular messages. The Festival of Lights in Ghent, Belgium, uses the display to achieve both of these things... Low level LED lights to illustrate how energy savings can be made, and the 5 kilometre walking light tour of the city also acts to show off some of its most beautiful buildings and monuments. By far the biggest attraction of the event, The LED Cathedral mixes Romanesque and Renaissance architecture with glowing rainbow ornamentation. It stands 91 feet tall at its peak and is made of 55,000 LED lights. With funding coming from both city councils and private enterprise, this trend seems to be taking off across the continent.

With so many cool possibilities for more interactive/fun/interesting cities, the rise of 3D Projection Mapping also raises some interesting questions about advertising in public spaces and the role of governments in managing what is essentially just, well, light. Just because it can't be 'touched', does that make it a non-invasive means of advertising? While I love the idea of a little more colour ad interactivity in the city, I'm not too keen on being bombarded with advertisements everywhere I go! None-the-less it'll be fascinating to see how light festivals and urban projection mapping techniques are utilised in the future. In the mean time, light shows are a great way to enjoy a beer and explore a city, so be sure to check one out!

Hamburg, Germany. Photo courtesy urbanscreen.com

Ghent, Belgium. Photo courtesy Adrian Pennington

More and more people in cities are seeking ways to acquire good quality, sustainably sourced food without breaking the bank. In recent years a popular alternative in London to relying on supermarket food has been urban agriculture, or 'food gardening'. A few years ago Mikey Tomkins, researcher on food growing, was inspired by the local food growing that was already happening in his local borough, as well as the potential space he saw for even more food growth, to produce the 'Edible Map' of Hackney. The map highlights everything from urban space for short and long session veg and fruit trees to compost and worm farms. Mushrooms are even grown in garages and bees kept for honey on rooftops.

The Edible Map isn't just a list of place markers, it tells stories of the local community, it allows residents to assess their own local food growth, and it encourages others to join in. One of the most encouraging things about this initiative is that the maps are infinitely changing and growing, and the potential for transfer to other areas is great. And in fact it's already spreading. Mikey ran tours through Hackney with his Edible Map, educating people of the importance and potential for local food growth. Today Edible Maps are also available for Surrey Street in Croyden, and Elephant & Castle in south London. The Royal Geographical Society in London has also collaborated with Tomkins to add a walk through Hackney using the Edible Map to their Discovering Britain walks series, available to anyone for free via their website. The maps are interactive, fun, and informative, and a positive step for food sustainability, quality and affordability in our cities.

The interactive Edible Map is here.

The Royal Geographical Society walk is here.

Image courtesy of Mikey Tomkins

European cities are lighting up!

Mapping Local Food Growing in London