by Timothie Biggs
Here are a few highlights from the 32nd International Cartographic Association (ICA) 2025 Conference in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada.
Firstly, the highlight of the map gallery was a walkable floor map – the ‘Indigenous Atlas’ created by Canada Geographic – it’s been around for some time so perhaps you have already encountered it – if not here is more on the McMaster University website or Canadian Geographic.
This was one of a number of maps/presentations related to Canada’s indigenous people that were spotlighted throughout the conference. Another interesting one was a project in Canada’s northern regions to surface the many names for ice used by elders to help build maps for navigation warning amongst increasingly unpredictable ice melt along water-based transit routes.
Next, while there were a TON of sessions about GeoAI, my goal was to focus on the Participatory Mapping track and connect with folks involved in the ‘new’ working group. My great pleasure to encounter in person at last many giants in the field such as Mike McCall and Jon Corbett. I was not able to attend the workshop that took place in the days leading up to the main conference – but here is the summary for anyone who is interested in this topic.
The last time I joined this conference was almost 30 years ago in Beijing, China – as a fresh faced graduate, which I confess I remember nothing about except the children’s map competition. The winners of the latest round don’t appear to be online yet but you can see previous winners here if you want an alternative view into the future of cartography and something to smile about.
After years being immersed in tech focused conferences showing off lots of shiny stuff, it was a pleasure to be in what was for me a more thought provoking and esoteric event – and of course delighted to have finally visited the lovely Vancouver – although I have to say the intense homeless situation was quite unexpected and disconcerting.
The next ICA International Cartographic Conference will be held in Poland in 2027.
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