One might assume that the book would proceed to discuss the evolution of geographic information systems, which has grown in sophistication in recent years, both in the quality of its analytical capabilities, as well as in its representational qualities. The book’s focus is not this, however, instead focusing on a small group of design professionals who have worked with new capabilities in information graphics to experiment with ways of interpreting the complexities of contemporary landscapes.

Urban exploration certainly does, at times, display a public image of apolitical benignity, aligned with notions of “leaving no trace” that conform with contemporary eco-tourism practices in order to garner public support, but Bennett never attempts to unravel that smoke screen to see what lies behind it. 

Bradley Garrett offers an alternative reading of ‘urban exploration’. He contrasts my “virtual” study with the extended period of participant observation entailed in his three year study of urban exploration, and its “diverse and multifaceted community”. Garrett implies that only such long term immersion can reveal the full colour and polyphony of this community.