Cartography & Web3

Abstract

Cartography is not an isolated discipline, but develops on the basis of many external impulses. The advent of web technologies has had a major impact on changes in cartography in recent decades. Successive generations of the Web have transformed the world of maps from static digital images, to servers providing map output, to complex interactive web applications and mash-ups. We are currently witnessing the emergence and development of the next new generation of the Web, which is referred to as Web3. Web3 is best known for its connection to the world of cryptocurrencies. This article considers the relationship between cartography and Web3 in particular. Are there opportunities that Web3 will offer cartographers? The article describes the basic features of the Web3 concept and their relation to the fields of cartography, which are considered by many experts as promising for the future. It concludes with two examples of Web3- based products related to maps and cartography. The aim of the paper is mainly to start a discussion regarding the evolutionary changes in cartography that may occur due to the emergence of Web3 technologies such as Blockchain.