BRI Map

[Tom Mueller]

As I have examined maps of the Belt and Road Initiative, I have found that depending on the time it was created or the focus of the mapmaker, they can be quite different.  They are also very static and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between types of infrastructure (maps look cluttered).  I wanted something a little more interactive.  I found the MERICS Belt and Road Map - https://merics.org/en/analysis/mapping-belt-and-road-initiative-where-we-stand

This map is a little more interactive and it was created in 2018. So my plan to use it in my class is:

1. Students would learn about BRI.  The students examine the energy needs of China (and its current domestic energy sources).
2. Students would then be divided into groups (depending on amount of infrastructure and / or countries -  there may be multiple Railroads groups, etc.)

1. Railroads
2. Oil Pipelines
3. Gas Pipelines
4. Ports

3. Students then could select their infrastructure and zoom in and out to identify the existing and planned infrastructure. Students would also examine the location of their assigned infrastructure (countries).  Then students would need to compare those countries and China.  Some of the factors they would examine:

1. GDP
2. Education Statistics
3. Exports vs Imports

4. Students should also use Google Maps https://maps.google.com – Satellites.  Students would then examine the physical landscape of the infrastructure’s area.
5. Then students would complete research to examine the similarities and differences between – what was planned in 2018 and what was actually built by 2020

1. Why was the infrastructure built?
2. Why was certain infrastructure not built?
3. If locations changed, why did they change?

6. Then we could discuss these similarities and differences in class (and their reasons).

This is just a rough plan of attack on the use of this website.

 

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