This paper describes the use of mental maps to evaluate users’ spatial awareness of a city, taking Lublin as an example. Students living both within and outside the town of Lublin were interviewed, making it possible to analyze the influence of place of residence on the knowledge of spatial areas at either a general and more detailed level. An additional goal of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of Geographic Information System software in this type of research. Sketches were analyzed for quality and quantity, with emphasis placed on linear features and landmarks. The graphic outcome of the results and the analysis was done using GIS, along with a critical evaluation of using the approach for implementing cartographic methodology principles (for a cartogram and the sign method). The results identified the features that were most commonly recognized by the users of a space. The results demonstrate that there are serious limitations in the map editing process when done with correctly applied methodology.

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