Connections map

Why the map was developed

The network map has been prepared for the Octopus Network as part of the final evaluation of the ‘Urban Wild Places - We Can Grow’ project. A major aim of the project has been to increase the collaborative connections in the area. The netmap gives a measure of connectivity and shows how that changes over the course of the project. The map also gives some hints and insights into how the network can be strengthened, improved and built on in the future.

What is a netmap?

A netmap is a diagram that represents people and / or organisations as nodes and their collaborations by connections. The resulting network can be analysed using appropriate software to show who is most central to the network, how nodes cluster because of how they are connected, and how overall connectivity changes over time. The map can be coloured to show different types of node and the nodes can be sized to show how central they are. It can provide hints and insights into the ‘shape’ of collaboration, where the gaps are and how the network might be improved. It’s also possible to show the structural effects of removing nodes or adding new ones - useful in exploring ‘what-if’ scenarios.

Walking through the netmap

Interactive version of the map

The network map shows the connections between organisations involved in the ‘We Can Grow’ project. The map consists of nodes which represent the organisations and connections.

To reveal the map, click on the number ‘1’ in the sequence of numbers shown at the top right of the map, just below the little arrows symbol. The map will then show the organisations involved during the first six months of the project. Clicking on ‘2’ and leaving the 1 highlighted will show the next six months and so on.

Clicking on a node will highlight it and reveal information about the organisation or project it represents and pressing ‘1’ on your keyboard will show you the nodes that it is connected to. Pressing ‘2’ will show you the nodes connected these nodes ... and so on. You can also go to a specific node by looking at the list on the right-hand panel and clicking on the title there.

The map is not just an interactive visualisation. The software can analyse which nodes have the potential to be able to spread information and ideas most effectively. The size of a node reflects this. At the bottom right of the screen are several ‘scores’ showing the number of ‘elements’ (nodes), the number of connections and average number of ‘degrees’ per node. A degree is the point at which a connection attaches to a node - remember every connection has two ends. This last is a good measure of the connectivity of the network. As you click through the six-month periods these scores will change.

Play around with the map - you won’t damage it! See what it tells you about the collaborations and connectivity of the project over time.

Some nodes contain links to particular projects. Clicking on the link will take you to stories and videos about that project.

4H project highlighted to show its information content

Immediate connections of the 4H project

On each of the garden story pages we have included a screenshot showing immediate connections, as well as the location of the project