project:vsjfrefugees_migration

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VSJF-Refugees Google Maps Visualization - in development VSJF-Refugees Google Maps Visualization - in development

We developed an interactive visualization of the migration flow of (mostly jewish) refugees migrating to or through Switzerland between 1898-1975. We used the API of google maps to show the movement of about 20'000 refugees situated in 535 locations in Switzerland.

One of the major steps in the development of the visualization was to clean the data, as the migration route is given in an unstructured way.

The journey of a refugee starts with the place of birth and continues with the place from where Switzerland was entered (if known). Then a series of stays within Switzerland is given. On average a refugee visited 1 to 2 camps or homes. Finally, the refugee leaves Switzerland from a designated place to a destination abroad. Due to missing information some of the dates had to be estimated, especially for the date of leave as only 60% are available.

The movements of all refugees can be traced over time in the period of 1898-1975. The residences in Switzerland are of different types and range from poor conditions as in prison camps to good conditions as in recovery camps. We introduced a color code to display different groups of camps and homes: imprisoned (red), interned (orange), labour (brown), medical (green), minors (blue), general (grey), unknown (white). As additional information, to give the dots on the map a face, we researched famous refugees who stayed in Switzerland in the same time period. Further, historical events were included.

  • Bourdic Maïwenn
  • Knowler Rae
  • Noyer Frédéric
  • Stark David
  • Tutav Yasemin
  • Züger Marlies (zueger)
  • project/vsjfrefugees_migration.1467456216.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2016/07/02 12:43
  • by zueger