THE URGENCY OF MAP LITERACY AND SPATIAL THINKING FOR URBAN SOCIETY

Abstract

The development of maps is directly proportional to the rapid advance of information and communication technology. Map becomes a tool to support a wide range of human activities, especially for urban societies. Various professions, daily mobility and lifestyle use map as a tool. It makes map literacy, for urban society, a must-have skill in order to live more effectively and efficiently. Map literacy is believed to have an interrelationship with spatial thinking. This ability gave a chance to build space literacy required by the urban people to adapt, act, behave and make decisions within the context of space. From the perspective of dynamic spatial changes and the complex problems of urban areas, it is necessary for urban society to have excellent map literacy and spatial thinking skills. Both of these abilities will reduce burden of urban society in their activity. Map literacy and spatial thinking are very good to build from early age. When children are already capable of abstract thinking, that's a good time to develop them. One way to build spatial literacy and thinking skills is to put it into school learning process. Social Science as a subject has a strategic position in developing that ability. This article examines the importance of map literacy and the ability to think spatially for urban society of the results of the literature study and previous research. The discussion in this article started from the various urban problems associated with space, then defined map literacy and spatial thinking ability and the role of Social Studies in developing both of these abilities. Article visualizations: