During the summer semester of 2026, 35 second-semester students explored Mainz from a slightly different perspective: In the “Cartography” bachelor’s module, they learned fundamental methods of geographic information systems, cartography, and web cartography. They then developed their own map projects on topics related to the city of Mainz that were relevant to them. The students were supervised by Kevin Kaminski.
Under the theme “My Mainz,” they worked in groups to develop their own map ideas. This resulted in maps such as “Bars in Mainz.” The focus was on student-oriented bars, the types of beer offered, prices, and Google reviews. One group analyzed the distribution of private and public charging stations within the city, their charging speeds, and the cost-effectiveness of public charging options. Solar panels on public buildings in Mainz were also examined, and a “groundhopper map” was created for the (soccer) stadiums of the Regionalliga West and Southwest, featuring attendance figures and stadium capacity. One group focused on “TikTok-based food spots in Mainz” and mapped restaurants in the city center based on the number and themes of TikTok posts. Other topics included historic sites in Mainz, burglaries—based on an analysis of the police press portal with a focus on content and location—and shopping options for students.
Students were free to choose their own topic, geographic area, and form of presentation. This resulted in both quantitative and qualitative maps. The maps were based on open or authoritative—that is, official, verified, or published by official institutions—datasets. Some groups also collected their own data, for example through surveys or the analysis of social media posts. Combining different data sources was also possible.
The goal of the module was to apply previously acquired knowledge in a practical setting and to explore different perspectives on cartographic work. At the end, the groups presented their projects in class. In doing so, they not only presented their results but also reflected on the entire work process: How was the data collected and processed? What difficulties arose along the way? Why were certain geometries, colors, or symbols chosen? And what societal value does the map offer to which target audience?
