MyMapHK app proves popular
August 30, 2014
MyMapHK makers:
The team behind the Lands Department’s first mobile map application spent more than a year developing it.
MyMapHK makers:
The team behind the Lands Department’s first mobile map application spent more than a year developing it.
City guide:
Users can view public facilities such as public libraries and museums within a one-kilometer radius of their chosen location.
City guide:
Users can view public facilities such as public libraries and museums within a one-kilometer radius of their chosen location.
Trekking tool:
Users can search 145 Hong Kong hiking trails, and use its SOS feature in an emergency.
Trekking tool:
Users can search 145 Hong Kong hiking trails, and use its SOS feature in an emergency.
Bygone days:
A map of the City of Victoria from 1889 helps MyMapHK users appreciate the changes in Hong Kong’s landscape.
Bygone days:
A map of the City of Victoria from 1889 helps MyMapHK users appreciate the changes in Hong Kong’s landscape.
Frequent updates:
Lands Department officers regularly take measurements in different locations, to provide up-to-date data to modify MyMapHK.
Frequent updates:
Lands Department officers regularly take measurements in different locations, to provide up-to-date data to modify MyMapHK.
The Lands Department’s first mobile map application, MyMapHK, has attracted more than 50,000 users since its launch in June.
Relevant government departments provided geospatial and public facilities information to make the app what is believed to be the most reliable mobile map and hikers’ guide in Hong Kong, Lands Department Land Surveyor Chelsie Chan said.
It provides an up-to-date, detailed bilingual base map of Hong Kong published by the Lands Department and has three functional features - Map of Hong Kong, Hiking, and Old Hong Kong.
The first function provides building and street information, and a search engine to locate more than 120 types of data on public facilities.
Users can view their approximate current location on the map using the My Location feature, and find public facilities such as public libraries, museums, car parks and shopping malls within a one-kilometer radius using the Nearby Facilities feature.
The Hiking function provides a guidebook to rural areas. Users can search 145 Hong Kong hiking trails by difficulty and area, and view their elevation profiles. Photographs taken along the corresponding trail are displayed, along with details about transport in the area.
Should MyMapHK users get lost or injured while hiking, they can use the SOS feature to call for help.
“The system will send a message to your friends or family members, and since we don’t want to cause unnecessary embarrassment, the app will not notify the police directly,” Department Geographical Information System Development Officer Mike Chan explained.
The Old Hong Kong function provides a map of the City of Victoria from 1889 – the oldest map in the government’s records. It superimposes photos of buildings and sites from that period so users can compare them with current landmarks. For example, the old General Post Office was originally situated at the junction of Connaught Road Central and Pedder Street, the site of the present World Wide House, while the current Fringe Club was once the Old Dairy Farm Office.
To appreciate the changes in the landscape, users can easily slide from the Old Hong Kong map view to a current map of Hong Kong.
Lands Department officers regularly take measurements in different locations to provide up-to-date, accurate geographical information. The coordinates data they collect is input into the department database to enable the MyMapHK design team to modify the app on a monthly basis.
The team spent a year to develop it, searching for information online and seeking feedback through a discussion forum.
The initial edition is proving popular. The team’s next challenge is to add more features to extend its usefulness and appeal. They welcome comments and suggestions. Send them to smohq@landsd.gov.hk.
