Gedde's maps of Copenhagen

In the 1740s, Sibrandt led the work with production of new local maps which registered land use and ownership.

They were used for taxation purposes and organization of local militias, which played an important role in the defense of the city.

The city's Magistrate was put in charge of the project and called on the services of Samuel Christoph Gedde, head of the engineering corps (Fortifikationsetaten).

One of the map's intentions was to show that Copenhagen had risen from the ashes after the Fire of 1728 and to promote the city as an important regional centre, worthy of the absolute monarch.

The General map was not intended for publication at the time since it depicted Copenhagen's fortifications in detail and thus knowledge information that could be exploited by a possible enemy.