Surveyors create virtual 3D map of Northern Ireland's 'Troubles'

25/01/2012

Researchers from the University of Ulster have used GPS equipment and mapping technology to create a comprehensive, 3D, fully-annotated map of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’.

The project, entitled Visualising the Conflict, saw the researchers use geographical technology to give an insight into the spatial dimensions of the conflict. They combined this information with an extensive archive of material about memorials, including images, and information about deaths.

Professor Gillian Robinson, Professor of Social Research based in INCORE at the University, said the results of their work are now available to the public, as a resource that she says she hopes will be very valuable to the region.

"While other projects have produced some GPS Troubles-related maps, our project has generated new mapping and is the first to make a large set of maps publicly available via the CAIN website,” she said. “The maps show concentrations of incidents in north and west Belfast, in Derry/Londonderry, in south Armagh and indeed in other Border regions.”

The project saw the creation of 3D models of more than 200 memorials around Northern Ireland, and incorporated them into a virtual tour, using the Second Life technology. It will allow people to ‘see’ the memorials, some of which may be in places that people may not feel comfortable visiting in the real world, or may not even physically be able to do so.