English: Google Map Maker logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Internet is helping the ever-changing neighborhood distinctions of NY. Even though the Neighborhood Integrity Act was introduced in 2011 to calm disputes over resale values in different neighborhoods, there was still a lot left to be decided. Now, according to The New York Times, amateur cartographers are in charge of these neighborhood lines with Web sites like Google and Wikipedia.
For example, Chef Matthew Hyland who lives in Downtown Brooklyn rejects and approves changes to Google’s online map of New York City in his spare time. Last month alone the users of Google Map Maker sent over 2,000 revisions to the map of NY city. Hyland consults city maps and local blogs before making any changes to a neighborhood boundary. However, many professionals dispute the maps presented by Google. Lisa Keller, executive editor of the Encyclopedia of New York contacted many local experts and historians for each entry.
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