ECO seeks to improve the health of communities and the environment in the greater Cincinnati area. The organization was formed upon the realization that industry pollution and government inaction were negatively impacting the lives of many local people. Our major focus is on providing resources and assistance, through research and technical expertise, that empower such people to take action against these injustices.
ECO realizes that mapping is an important tool that can be used to further our mission. We have undertaken mapping efforts in the past but these maps were created for specific narrow applications. But a broader opportunity has recently become available. Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati have committed to comprehensive climate protection planning. So, ECO plans to support that effort by providing a concise and readily understood map depicting the key elements of those plans. Our goal for the Hamilton County Green Map is to create interactive online maps, useful to a wide audience, with broad applicability, employing an easy-to-use interface, and including information-rich pop-up "bubbles" supplying the public with facility operating hours, driving directions, etc. The maps will encourage public participation in the implementation of the climate protection plans by providing the public with the mapping resources necessary to understand the proposed changes and to advocate on behalf of their own neighborhoods.
Our initial project involves mapping the waste and recycling resources in Hamilton County. An interactive map of these resources will allow local people to search for places where they can take products to be recycled or where they can safely dispose of hazardous materials potentially increasing participation in such programs. In the future, this map may contain information about closed landfills or neighborhoods that would benefit from new recycling programs, education, or other local resources.
As a future project, ECO hopes to create a comprehensive, interactive land use map that will allow users to see public green spaces, community gardens, brownfields, contaminated sites, LEED building projects, etc. This map will allow local people to gain a better understanding of the land uses and environmental resources or issues around them. With the knowledge of the current situation of their community, they will be able to decide what needs to be done to shape the future of their community.
