dciWebMapper2: Enhancing the dciWebMapper framework toward integrated, interactive visualization of linked multi-type maps, charts, and spatial statistics and analysis

Abstract: As interactive web-based geovisualization becomes increasingly vital across disciplines, there is a growing need for open-source frameworks that support dynamic, multi-attribute spatial analysis and accessible design. This paper introduces dciWebMapper2, a significant expansion of the original dciWebMapper framework, designed to enable exploratory analysis across domains such as climate justice, food access, and social vulnerability. The enhanced framework integrates multiple map types, including choropleth, proportional symbol, small multiples, and heatmaps, with linked statistical charts (e.g., scatter plots, boxplots) and time sliders, all within a coordinated-view environment. Dropdown-based controls allow flexible, high-dimensional comparisons while maintaining visual clarity. Grounded in cartographic and information visualization principles, dciWebMapper2 is fully open-source, self-contained, and server-free, supporting modularity, reproducibility, and long-term sustainability. Three applied use cases demonstrate its adaptability and potential to democratize interactive web cartography. This work offers a versatile foundation for inclusive spatial storytelling and transparent geospatial analysis in research, education, and civic engagement.