Joining up social system maps

Joining up social system maps

Thanks Christine, Stephanie, Maya, Tim and everyone for such an excellent Zoom session yesterday. One of the topics that arose was how large a map might be, for people to engage easily, and whether it is possible to join up maps.
I'm working with Drew Mackie (who has introduced himself here) and four equalities networks in London to develop a system of digital tools to support collaboration and campaigning within and across networks. Mapping is at the heart of the system, and the aim is to develop a model that would scale to include other networks. We have two-year funding, so it is a great opportunity to do something significant.
One suggestion during discussion was that 150 was a realistic number of potential contracts on a map ... because more than that is too confusing and difficult to search and use.
In addition, it helps to have people with some basis of shared interest.
So here's the dilemma. If we aim to develop one map for all four networks, and then scale to include more networks across London, it may be too diverse and difficult for people to navigate. 
On the other hand, if we go for four maps - and more later - there may be quite a lot of nodes on different maps potentially in common, that have to be duplicated. It will also be difficult for people in different networks and maps to connect and collaborate (which is one aim of the project). 
Towards  the end of the session Christine helpfully started to explain that it may be possible to join up maps - but it sounded fairly complex, and I would really appreciate exploring further. I believe that one Kumu project can hold different maps allowing common nodes to show across maps. Is that what we are talking about, or is it something different?
Please excuse me if I misinterpreted - there was a lot of good stuff going on!
Here's background on the project https://networkedcity.london
 


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