Evaluating Gender-Blindness and User Satisfaction in Dutch Campus Map Creation

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the presence and implications of gender-blindness in the design of campus maps at five Dutch universities. Through a combination of literature review and case study analysis, the research explores how feminist critiques of mapping practices — particularly the accusation that maps claim neutrality, unknowingly neglecting certain perspectives and user needs — apply to campus map design. The universities examined include Delft University of Technology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Wageningen University & Research, and Eindhoven University of Technology. The methodology involves qualitative interviews with map makers and a quantitative survey of campus users, combined with qualitative comments and follow-up interviews, offering insights into both the creation and evaluation of the maps. The findings suggest that a lack of awareness of gender-related issues, along with limited incorporation of diverse perspectives and technical constraints, may result in the neglect of the needs of different campus users. However, the potential negative consequences this has on (spatial) inequalities on campus seems limited, as campus users appear not to be frequent campus map users.