[Talk-gb-westmidlands] Birmingham commisions new mapping for its signage

[Andy Mabbett]

http://www.geoconnexion.com/geouk_news_article/Bluesky-Aerial-Photo-Reveals-Birmingham-City-Life/11440

High resolution aerial photography is being used to create a new map
of Birmingham. Supplied by aerial survey specialist Bluesky the
digital imagery will be used to create a royalty free base map to
support Interconnect Birmingham a project to raise the profile, image
and identity of the city. It is hoped that the interactive map, which
will feature visitor attractions, hotels, green spaces and other
features of interest, will help improve the experience of visitors to
the city and support a multi channel, multi-modal movement and
information system.

“One of the key aspects of the Interconnect Birmingham project was an
advanced wayfinding solution for the urban centre. In order to
populate this we needed a royalty free base map and aerial photography
seemed to offer the optimum starting point for it’s creation,”
commented John Maillard, Project Manager at Birmingham City Council,
one of the project partners. “Topographical map layers such as
building footprints and roads will be drawn, using the Bluesky imagery
as the principle reference, and then styled creating a map that is fit
for purpose and truly unique to Birmingham.”

The aim of the Interconnect Birmingham project is to improve and
integrate the city’s image, identity and legibility. It aims to
provide a strategic framework to promote quality design solutions and
seeks to link existing and proposed transportation, public realm and
development projects. Interconnect Birmingham will develop a strategic
framework for the delivery of improved streets and spaces in
Birmingham’s extended city core, accompanied by accurate information
to assist wayfinding, linked walking and public transport networks,
and interpretation. Partners in InterConnect Birmingham include
Centro, Marketing Birmingham as well as Birmingham City Council.

“We selected Bluesky as a supplier of aerial imagery following
recommendations from colleagues within the Council,” added Maillard.

The 8 square kilometres of 10cm resolution imagery supplied by Bluesky
forms part of a national coverage of highly accurate, up to date,
orthorectified aerial photography. Available off the shelf in a
variety of easy to use formats including GIS / CAD ready files Bluesky
images together with a range of other geographic data solutions can be
viewed and purchased online at www.bluesky-world.com/shop.

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No mention of OSM :-(

Time for some FoI requests?

-- 
Andy Mabbett
@pigsonthewing
http://pigsonthewing.org.uk