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Telling stories with maps
Understanding maps isn't always easy. With the “DIPAS_stories” storytelling module, complex plans are transformed into stories that are easy to understand .
Good participation starts with understanding. Only those who understand a project can contribute in a meaningful way. With DIPAS_stories, complex maps and plans are transformed into a clear, visual narrative.
A story is divided into chapters that guide users step by step through a project. Maps, custom geodata, 3D models and designs are combined with text, images and videos and arranged in a clear sequence. The map is displayed on the left. The explanatory content is on the right. As you scroll, the map automatically adjusts to the current step. This guides you through the project without having to navigate maps or search for information yourself.
Benefits
✅ Better understanding of geographic data
Geographic data relevant to the project is put into context, making it accessible and understandable to the general public.
✅ Explaining planning projects in simple terms
Complex content and spatial relationships are presented in a visually appealing way and explained step by step.
✅ Encouraging participation
Interactive maps and visual content spark curiosity and invite exploration.
✅ Minimize the need for explanation
Frequently asked questions about background information, processes or contexts are answered.
✅ Be better equipped to contribute to discussions
Those who know and understand the background can participate in discussions in a more informed and focused manner.
✅ Make information more accessible
Even without prior technical knowledge, planning content can be intuitively understood by a variety of target audiences.
Examples
Redesign of the Altona Station Area
📍Hamburg
This story takes you through the planned relocation and redevelopment of Altona Station. Step by step, it outlines the planning area, the urban planning objectives, and the competition process.
Story Structure:
- Initial Situation and Location of the Planning Area
- History and Development of the Area to Date
- Goals and Objectives of the Urban Planning Competition
- Results and Feedback from the Public Participation Process
The Plan for Munich’s Future
📍München
For the Munich Urban Development Plan (STEP), the city’s long-term goals and strategies were presented in a narrative format, organized into individual thematic sections, and illustrated with examples.
Story Structure:
- Goals and Background of the Urban Development Plan
- In-depth examination of individual areas of action, including open space, mobility, and climate protection
- Integrated Master Plan
The Karolinenstraße Showcase (3D)
📍Bamberg
Bamberg is developing an urban digital twin. In this context, the story guides viewers through the city’s World Heritage Site using 3D data, historical photos and videos, giving Bamberg residents an early glimpse into the possibilities of a digital replica.
Story structure:
- Background on the Smart City Funding Program
- Detailed look at the city’s historic sites and monuments through the ages
Discover more stories
Stories can be used as part of a public participation process and integrated into DIPAS:
- Holtenau Pedestrian Path Network and Children’s Path Concept, Kiel
- Rothenburgsort and the Development of the Three Neighborhoods in Billebogen, Hamburg
- 11 Stories on the Individual Phases of the Light Rail Planning Process, Kiel
Stories can also be used for communication and public relations purposes without a public participation process:
FAQ
DIPAS_stories is an integral part of the DIPAS system. If you or your city/municipality already use DIPAS, DIPAS_stories can be used directly within existing or new public engagement processes.
You can create as many stories as you like for each process. These can be embedded directly in DIPAS, accessed via a direct link, or integrated into other websites using an iFrame.
If you do not yet use DIPAS, you can obtain individual stories free of charge via Dataport. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us with your questions and requests at
Daniel Bockelmann
Dataport
DataportDipasProduktmanagement@dataport.de
Yes. DIPAS_stories can be used both for engagement initiatives and independently of them, for example, for project communication, knowledge sharing, or project documentation.
The engagement features of DIPAS can be hidden, and individual stories can be made available via a direct link.
DIPAS_stories can be used flexibly in various project phases:
- Before a participatory session, to introduce the project and establish a shared knowledge base.
- During participation to support and contextualize content, either online or at in-person events.
- After participation to present results in a clear and engaging way.
- Independently of participation, e.g., for project communication, at information points, or in exhibitions.
Yes. You can integrate your own geographic data as map layers and display it within the context of the story. This allows you to incorporate project-specific content and targeted spatial information.
DIPAS_stories is designed to be accessible in many areas. The text is compatible with screen readers, the layout offers high contrast, and the font sizes are easy to read.
However, maps are a central feature of DIPAS_stories and are not currently fully accessible. This creates limitations for some users. Accessibility is an ongoing consideration in the development of DIPAS and will be improved in the future.
DIPAS_stories is particularly well-suited for large screens and digital touch tables, but can generally be used on a variety of devices. It can therefore also be used on mobile devices.
For use at in-person events, a stable internet connection is recommended, as the geodata is loaded online. When using 3D models in DIPAS_stories, a high-performance device with a dedicated graphics card is also recommended for optimized rendering.
To some extent. DIPAS_stories was primarily developed for large screens and touch tables, where it works particularly well.
The stories can generally be viewed on mobile devices, but the mobile display has not yet been fully optimized. In particular, stories embedded on websites via iFrame can currently only be displayed to a limited extent on small screens.
The technical foundation of DIPAS_stories is the open-source software "Data Narrator“, which was developed by the City Science Lab at HafenCity University Hamburg as part of the MPSC project “Connected Urban Twins” (CUT).
For use in DIPAS, the tool was further developed by the Hamburg administration between 2022 and 2023 and adapted to the requirements of informal citizen participation. To this end, the Stadtwerkstatt of the Department of Urban Development and Housing, together with the Agency for Geoinformation and Surveying, tested and implemented the design and integration into the DIPAS administration interface.
More questions?
Please feel free to contact us to discuss your planned project—free of charge and with no obligation:
