PastForward
PastForward (Experimental version)
PastForward is a map viewer application that hosts a digitally curated collection of maps of the Northern Netherlands. It offers glimpses into different time periods of the past through historical cartography spanning 300 years.
The focus is on the northeastern region of the Dutch mainland, encompassing the three provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe, as well as most of the Dutch Wadden Islands located further north.
The Northern Netherlands, as it is now, is far from being an untouched wilderness; rather, it is rich with layers of cultural history. Often, the remnants of the past do not manifest as physical traces but as ephemeral memories. Furthermore, the landscape continues to evolve. And it makes it very interesting to explore.
Imagining the appearance of the landscape in previous decades and centuries can be challenging. PastForward simplifies this process by aggregating a diverse collection of maps and atlases, spanning hundreds of years, and correlating actual GPS positions with historical cartography. As a result, the map viewer offers insights into how the landscape has shaped, developed, and transformed over time.
Each map "layer" illustrates various historical changes in the landscape, including the addition of waterways, land reclamation, vanished footpaths, and urban expansions.
PastForward invites you to go for a walk and travel in time, connect yourself with the landscapes of the North, and delve into the past with each step you take along the footpaths.