a)

A map is a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features,

cities, roads, etc.
A map is defined as a representation, usually on a flat surface, of a whole or part of an area.
The job of a map is to describe spatial relationships of specific features that the map aims to
represent. There are many different types of maps that attempt to represent specific things.
Maps can display political boundaries, population, physical features, natural resources, roads,
climates, elevation (topography), and economic activities.
Maps are produced by cartographers. Cartography refers both the study of maps and the
process of map-making. It has evolved from basic drawings of maps to the use of computers
and other technologies to assist in making and mass producing maps.

b)
Types of Maps
There are several types of maps. Each show different information. Most maps include a
compass rose, which indicates which way is north, south, east and west. They also include a
scale so you can estimate distances. Here's a look at some different types of maps.
Climate maps; give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow)
of a region. Cartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or
precipitation zones. A climate map shows information about the climate of an area. They can
show things like the specific climatic zones of an area based on the temperature, the amount
of snow an area receives or average number of cloudy days. These maps normally use colors
to show different climatic areas.
Example: This climate map for Uganda uses colors to show differences between the
temperate area of Victoria and desert region in the center of the continent.
Economic or resource maps; feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that
dominates an area. Cartographers use symbols to show the locations of natural resources or
economic activities. For example, oranges on a map of Florida tell you that oranges are
grown there. An economic or resource map shows the specific type of economic activity or

natural resources present in an area through the use of different symbols or colors depending
on what is being shown on the map.
Example: An economic activity map for Kampala can use colors to show different
agricultural products of given areas, letters for natural resources and symbols for different
industries.
Physical maps; illustrate the physical features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers and
lakes. The water is usually shown in blue. Colors are used to show relief differences in land
elevations. Green is typically used at lower elevations, and orange or brown indicate higher
elevations. A physical map is one that shows the physical landscape features of a place. They
generally show things like mountains, rivers and lakes and water is always shown with blue.
Mountains and elevation changes are usually shown with different colors and shades to show
relief. Normally on physical maps green shows lower elevations while browns show high
elevations.
Example: This map of Uganda is a physical map. Low elevation coastal regions are shown in
dark green, while the higher elevations transition from orange to dark brown. Rivers are
shown in blue.
Political maps; political maps do not show physical features. Instead, they indicate state and
national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star
within a circle. A political map does not show any topographic features. It instead focuses
solely on the state and national boundaries of a place. They also include the locations of cities
- both large and small, depending on the detail of the map.
Example: A common type of political map would be one showing the districts of Uganda and
their borders along with the Ugandas international borders.
Road maps; road maps show major, some minor highways, and roads, airports, railroad
tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for
driving directions. A road map is one of the most widely used map types. These maps show
major and minor highways and roads (depending on detail) as well as things like airports, city
locations and points of interest like parks, campgrounds and monuments. Major highways on
a road map are generally red and larger than other roads, while minor roads are a lighter color
and a narrower line.

Example: A road map of Kampala, for example would show the major highways as a wide
red line and other large roads as a lighter red with minor streets as gray
Topographic maps; these include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an area.
Lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, and lines that are far apart indicate flat
terrain. A topographic map is similar to a physical map in that it shows different physical
landscape features. They are different however because they use contour lines instead of
colors to show changes in the landscape. Contour lines on topographic maps are normally
spaced at regular intervals to show elevation changes (e.g. each line represents a 100 foot (30
m) elevation change) and when lines are close together the terrain is steep.
Example: This topographic map of the Big Island of Kalagala has contour lines that are close
together near the steep, high elevation mountains. By contrast, the low elevation, flat coastal
areas show contour lines that are spread apart.
Thematic Map: a thematic map is a map that focuses on a particular theme or special topic
and they are different from the six aforementioned general reference maps because they do
not just show natural features like rivers, cities, political subdivisions, elevation and
highways. If these items are on a thematic map, they are background information and are
used as reference points to enhance the map's theme.
Example: An example of a thematic map would be one showing the population change of
Uganda in specific locations from 1996 to 2001. The map shows the theme it is attempting to
get across to its audience and uses a political map (e.g. one showing the provincial and
territorial borders of Uganda to give it more of a reference.
c)
A map is a drawing of the earths surface or part of that surface. It shows the shape and
position of different countries, political borders, natural features such as rivers and
mountains, and artificial features such as roads and buildings.
A verbal scale statement expresses the amount of distance on the map that represents a
particular distance on the earth's surface in words, e.g., 'one inch equals a mile.' The
representative fraction (RF) expresses scale as a numerical ratio of map distance to earth
distance, e.g., '1:63,360.'

The scale of a map is the ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the
ground. This simple concept is complicated by the curvature of the Earth's surface, which
forces scale to vary across a map. Because of this variation, the concept of scale becomes
meaningful in two distinct ways. The first way is the ratio of the size of the generating globe
to the size of the Earth. The generating globe is a conceptual model to which the Earth is
shrunk and from which the map is projected.
Many, but not all, maps are drawn to a scale, expressed as a ratio such as 1:10,000, meaning
that 1 of any unit of measurement on the map corresponds exactly, to 10,000 of that same unit
on the ground. The scale statement may be taken as exact when the region mapped is small
enough for the curvature of the Earth to be neglected, for example in a town planner's city
map.
The ratio of the Earth's size to the generating globe's size is called the nominal scale (=
principal scale = representative fraction). Many maps state the nominal scale and may even
display a bar scale (sometimes merely called a 'scale') to represent it. The second distinct
concept of scale applies to the variation in scale across a map. It is the ratio of the mapped
point's scale to the nominal scale. In this case 'scale' means the scale factor (= point scale =
particular scale).
Map scale is the relationship between a unit of length on a map and the corresponding length
on the ground. A map scale shows the relationship between the distance on the ground and
the corresponding distance on a specific map. Most scales appear on the bottom or top corner
of a map. For example, 1 centimeter on a map might represent 1 mile on the ground. Nearly
all maps contain a scale, but the scale used varies depending on the individual map. Map
scales are used to help people determine distances, even when the map is rather small in size.
The scales are often presented as something similar to 1:100,000, which indicates 1
centimeter for every 1 mile. The larger the number, smaller the scale is.

d)
Land-use planning is the general term used for a branch of urban planning encompassing
various disciplines which seek to order and regulate land use in an efficient and ethical way,
thus preventing land-use conflicts. Governments use land-use planning to manage the

development of land within their jurisdictions. In doing so, the governmental unit can plan for
the needs of the community while safeguarding natural resources.
Maps can be used for/during urban planning in the following ways;
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Todays digital mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies can be used
to create high quality informative and adaptable map products. Quality graphics and maps are
a key component of many planning applications and are very important when it comes to
involving members of the public in the planning process. When the public views an
application, they may not fully understand what the application entails. Therefore, plans and
drawings are a valuable communicative tool within the realm of the planning process.
A skilled map/graphics designer can create plans and drawings that clearly reflect what is
intended to be proposed. And when the message is clear, questions are more easily answered
and doubts laid to rest. Clear and concise mapping is integral to obtaining approvals for the
aforementioned applications. An application will move more quickly through the planning
process if the accompanying plans or maps are accurate and effective.
Maps for planning are an important part of the process. The maps will enable the relevant
local authority to see clearly which land the application is referring to. Producing maps for
planning applications is a complex and time-consuming aspect of the process.
Zoning
Almost all applications for a Zoning require a sketch maps showing the layout of the subject
property. This includes the boundaries and dimensions of the land, the location size and type
of all existing and proposed buildings and structures, indicating their distance from the front
lot line, rear lot line and side lot lines. As well as the approximate locations of all natural and
artificial features for example, buildings, road maps, watercourses, drainage ditches, banks of
rivers or streams, wetlands, wooded areas, wells and septic tanks.
Official Plan Amendment
Similar to an application for a zoning, a map is required for an application for an official plan
amendment. The sketch submitted must show existing and proposed building(s) and
structure(s) on the subject land, the location, including setbacks from lot lines, height and

dimensions or floor area of the proposed buildings, and the location of all natural and
artificial features on the property. The boundary of the property is indicated, the area to be
redesignated is identified, access to the property is clearly identified, artificial and natural
features are identified, accurate distances and scaling, clear labelling of proposed land uses as
well as clear labelling of adjacent land uses.
Land severance (consent)
A severance (or consent) is a land division process to create one or more new lots from an
existing property. All consent applications must be submitted with a consent sketch map. A
consent sketch map is to include the following: the boundaries and dimensions of the subject
land, i.e. the Severed lot and the Retained lot, the dimensions of the severed lot and the
retained lot, the location and setbacks of all natural and artificial features on the subject land
and the land that is adjacent to the subject lands (i.e. existing buildings, proposed building
locations, septic areas, wells, roads, watercourses, drainage ditches, river or stream banks,
wetlands, and wooded areas). The names of the owners of the adjacent lands and existing
uses on the adjacent land.
Block Plan maps
Block planning maps have to include a range of information, unless these things wont be
affected by or influence the proposed plans. They feature any footpaths, roads and buildings
that are on the land next to the site, alongside what the arrangements for access will be. Any
public rights of way that are next to or across the site should be marked, as well as all the
trees that are in place. The maps need to include the type and extent of the hard surfacing and
the type and positioning of the boundaries that will be used, such as fencing or walls.
Block plans also need to be produced at the correct scale. This is generally to a 1:200 or
1:500 scale. The proposed development should be detailed, including the site boundary and
any existing structures that are on the site. All the relevant dimensions should be included and
north clearly marked. These maps must be produced in colour.
Site Location Plans
The surrounding land should feature all the relevant buildings and roads, and the site
boundary needs to be marked in red. This must include any land that is required to gain
access to the site. Any land that the applicant owns next to or close to the proposed site

should have a blue line drawn around it. Site plans are prepared and submitted illustrating the
spatial (physical) arrangement of property elements, such as buildings, driveways, parking
areas, pedestrian sidewalks, landscaping, natural features, fences, lighting, signs, drainage
patterns, wells, septic systems or municipal services, etc.
This should be generated at the standard scale, which is usually 1:1250 scale when dealing
with urban applications and 1:2500 for larger developments and those in rural areas. When
you prepare a planning map, it must have north clearly marked and should fit on to a piece of
A3 or A4 paper. The map needs to include the date when the survey was carried out or the
Ordnance Survey licence number and when it was purchased.
The Use of Ordnance Survey Maps
There are some important areas that needed to be aware of when using Ordnance Survey
maps for land use planning application. The map cant be a Land Registry document, and it
must not have been used for more than one application. The planning map must have the
Ordnance Survey Crown copyright marked on it. You cannot use a screen grab or a
photocopy, and if youre using a hand-drawn map, it cant be copied from an existing
Ordnance Survey map. If you are copying or printing the maps for use in your application,
you need to display the appropriate licence number.

References
Brazier, A.M., and R.L. Greenwood. 1998. Geographic information systems: a consistent
approach to land use planning decisions around hazardous installations. Journal of Hazardous
Materials 61:355-361.
Freeman, H., Map data processing and the annotation problem, Proc. 3rd Scandinavian Conf.
on Image Analysis, Chartwell-Bratt Ltd. Copenhagen, 1983.
M.M.A.H., (2010). Citizens Guide 2 Official Plans [Online]. Available:
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1759.aspx
Snyder, John P. (1987). Map Projections - A Working Manual. U.S. Geological Survey
Professional Paper