Mapping hybrid cities through location-based technologies: a systematic review of the literature

Over the past two decades, the development of a new set of technologies, devices and applications has supported the emergence of a new infocommunicational landscape in cities—one of the key fuels to the growth of smart cities movement. Digital media platforms, ubiquitous technologies and geographic annotation technologies have blurred the boundaries of virtual and physical environments—with an access through digital devices and specifically mobile devices. The paper aims to investigate the emerging location-based and mapping technologies to develop a clearer understanding on their applicability in the urban context by identifying and categorizing the key drivers based on desired outcomes. In order to achieve this aim, the study undertakes a systematic literature review on the planned and applied use of location-based technologies for mapping urban environments. In doing so, the paper outlines the spatial distribution of these advanced technologies across globe, and presents a synthesis of the emerging themes and categories, and potential avenues for future research. The study findings reveal three types of mapping approaches—i.e., reason-oriented, sense-oriented and community-oriented—that are linked to two modes of use—i.e., desktop and in-situ.