The document discusses Madrid's metro system and compares its old map to a new proposed map. It provides key facts about the metro such as it started in 1919, currently has 13 lines and 231 stations, and transports over 690 million passengers annually. Tables compare features of the old and new maps, such as the old map better respects distances while the new map may have poorer sense of reality but better appearance. It questions who designed each map, what type of map it is, its purpose, intended audience, and potential for misinterpretation. Links to additional resources on the metro system and maps are also provided.

1. Madrid’s Metro System Maps

2. KEYFACTS
 Started operating in 1919 (King Alfonso XIII)
 Oldest: London (1863)
 # Lines: 13 (1st NYC with 26)
 # Stations: 231 (5th, 1st NYC with 422)
 Length: 283 Km (3rd, 1st London with 408)
 Total Passengers (2007): 690 millions
(14th , 1st Tokyo with 1916 millions)
 Has grown from 114 Km in 1995 to 283 Km in 2007
(169 New Km in 12 years ~ 14,1 New Km/Year)

3. Table of Comparison
“Old” Map New Map
Respects
Yes No
distances
Sense of reality Good Bad
Ease of use Good ¿Very? Good
Appearence Nice ¿Nicer?

4. Who’s behind the maps?
 “Old” Map:  New Map:
 Comunidad de Madrid
& CTM
Rafael Sañudo
(consejeria de transportes
e infraeestructuras)

5. Questions
 Who is the author?
 What kind of map is it?
 What is the map’s purpose?
 Who is the audience?
 Is it possible to misinterpret the map?
 What may improve the map?

6. QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS
 What may improve (an underground
network) map?
 What makes a good (underground
network) map?

7. Links & Sources
 http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/224418/0/plano/metro/debate/ (new
map article)
 http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=463947 (survey #1)
 http://www.20minutos.es/minuteca/metro-de-madrid/ (survey #2)
 http://urbanity.blogsome.com/2005/12/30/metro-de-madrid-evolucion-historica/
(evolution of the network)
 http://www.esmuz.net/blog/2005/01/el-plano-de-metro.html (subway’s
maps from the point of view of a graphic designer)
 http://www.20minutos.es/galeria/2347/0/0/ (photogallery)
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Beck_(graphic_designer)
 http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/224865/0/nuevo/mapa/metro/ (Madrid’s
new metro map designer)
 http://www.raro.net/ (Madrid’s new metro map designer’s website)
 http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?
id=517815832&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=25126229252 (Facebook group
agains the new map)