Data Visualization for Architecture, Urbanism and the Humanities
illegal immigration and the cost of human lives
By Mengyao Chen, Swezya Joshi, Hongqian Li
This data visualization project focuses on the issue of missing and deceased immigrants across the American continent. Initiated with a series of interviews with immigrants and reinforced with datasets from Missing Migrants Project by International Organization for Migration (IOM), our work aims to provide a clear and impactful representation of their journeys.
By visualizing the routes taken, the causes of death, and the locations where these tragedies occurred, we hope to offer a deeper understanding of the immigrants' experiences, bring to life the stories of those who embarked on these perilous journeys, and seek to elevate public awareness and stimulate discussion around this critical issue.
Our goal is to foster a sense of empathy and urgency, encouraging actions that address and mitigate these tragic losses.
The Story of a father and his two children
This route map is about a story of a father, driven by the fear of political persecution, embarked on a lengthy and perilous journey with his two children to reunite with their mother in the United States.
Hangzhou --> Shanghai --> Hong Kong
They started from the city of Hangzhou in China, took a train to Shanghai, then took a flight to Hong Kong
Hong Kong --> Istanbul
They left the country through an international flight from Hong Kong
Istanbul --> Quito
From Istanbul, they took an international flight and arrived in Quito.
Quito --> Colombia
A bus ride from Quito, Ecuador brought them to Colombia
Panama Rainforest
After a boat ride from Nekore into the Panama Rainforest, they camped in the rainforest for the next couple days
Panama --> Mexico
They eventually made their way to Mexico City after rafting through the dangerous currents along the Guatemala-Mexico border and taking a motorboat from Tapachula to Oaxaca.
US-Mexico Border
Once they arrived at Tijuana, they crossed the border wall and made it to San Diego, California.
San Diego --> New York
The family reunited in New York and currently live in Mexico, but few migrants who accompanied them along their journey did not make it to their final destination.