The Utah Resilience Map is an open-source mapping project that connects various community-based groups and programs along the Wasatch Front.
The project is the outgrowth of a global initiative titled #MapJam, which has over 80 cities participating worldwide. The purpose behind #MapJam is to bring communities together through the sharing of resources that promote grassroots projects, cooperatives and the commons. While the communities participating in this program share a common motif, individually they vary based on the intention of the map and local needs.
The theme behind Utah’s map is resilience, —the ability to become strong, healthy or successful again after misfortune or change. This ideal is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the map’s creators, Jim French and Emily Nicolosi.
Their vision is inspired by finding ways to transition from a society reliant on finite resources such as fossil fuels, to one that focuses on renewable resources and sustainability. The goal of this project is to have a reliable platform where Utahns can communicate and collaborate on solving the issues affecting the community.
French says that for this grassroots concept to be achieved, community participation is vital, which is why the Utah Resilience Map is open-sourced. Anyone can contribute to the evolution of the map by suggesting groups or projects that relate to resilience.
Points on the map range from community gardens and social justice groups, to alternative media outlets and innovative hubs. This organic evolution will allow for the map to reflect the values and needs of the community.