How to organize and run your own OSM humanitarian mapathon

Marco MinghiniPolitecnico di Milano – GEOlab

Politecnico di Milano – GEOlab

➔ http://geolab.como.polimi.it

✔ GEOlab (Geomatics and Earth Observation laboratory) is a multi-

disciplinary research group of Politecnico di Milano which is focused on

collecting, modeling, analysing and representing Earth observations:

✔ The main topics of the GIS group of GEOlab are the following:

➔ design & development of FOSS4G-based mobile and Web applications, including virtual globe 3D platforms

➔ development of ad hoc processing algorithms and tools using FOSS4G

➔ VGI, geo-crowdsourcing and Citizen Science

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – what is it?

➔ founded by Steve Coast in UK in 2004(http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/History_of_OpenStreetMap)

➔ a free, editable vector map of the whole world built by volunteers (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/About_OpenStreetMap)

✔ The most popular project of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)

http://www.openstreetmap.org

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – how many users?✔ Currently (May 2016) there are about 2.5 million registered users

(http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Stats)

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – license

➔ OSM was born from the evidence that many geodata are proprietary or copyrighted, i.e. you cannot freely use them (e.g. Google Maps) (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Why_OpenStreetMap%3F)

➔ OSM is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF):

✔ OpenStreetMap is an openly-licensed database!

http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/summary

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – how to contribute

➔ iD: a simple, easy-to-use online editor – suitable for beginners (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/ID)

➔ JOSM: a more powerful, offline editor – suitable for experienced users (https://josm.openstreetmap.de)

➔ Vespucci: an Android editor – suitable for fast and efficient field survey (http://vespucci.io)

➔ many others (full list at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Editors)

✔ Everything you need to contribute to OSM is to create an account from

http://www.openstreetmap.org

✔ Then you need to get started working with an OSM editor:

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – the data model

➔ NODE: a single point

➔ WAY: an ordered list of nodes

✔ OSM objects are the combination of geometries and tags.✔ There are 3 geometries (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Elements):

✗ polyline: initial and final nodes do not coincide

✗ polygon: initial and final nodes coincide

➔ RELATION: a logic group of nodes, polylines & polygons

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – the data model

➔ example: a building (polygon) which is used as a hotel has the tag

building = hotel

✔ OSM objects are the combination of geometries and tags.✔ Tags are the object attributes, and are composed of a key and a value:

KEY VALUE

➔ an object must have at least one tag, but can have any number of tags

➔ the reference set of OSM tags (a “must” for any OSM user) is available at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Map_Features

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – the data model✔ OSM objects are the combination of geometries and tags.✔ Tags are the object attributes, and are composed of a key and a value:

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – the data model✔ OSM objects are the combination of geometries and tags.✔ Tags are the object attributes, and are composed of a key and a value:

RELATION

type = route

route = bus

name = B30

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – how to add data✔ Regardless of the OSM editor you are using, data can be derived from 3

different mapping actions:

➔ normal mapping: implies to have knowledge of the area to be mapped. Data are captured using specific software such as GPS devices and field papers (http://fieldpapers.org) this mapping method is adopted for →mapping parties (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapping_parties)

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – how to add data✔ Regardless of the OSM editor you are using, data can be derived from 3

different mapping actions:

➔ normal mapping: implies to have knowledge of the area to be mapped. Data are captured using specific software such as GPS devices and field papers (http://fieldpapers.org) this mapping method is adopted for →mapping parties (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapping_parties)

➔ armchair mapping: consists in digitizing elements (roads, buildings, etc.) in areas for which users have no previous knowledge. Data are usually obtained from aerial/satellite imagery it is crucial to check →the copyright of the data source used!

OpenStreetMap (OSM) – how to add data✔ Regardless of the OSM editor you are using, data can be derived from 3

different mapping actions:

➔ normal mapping: implies to have knowledge of the area to be mapped. Data are captured using specific software such as GPS devices and field papers (http://fieldpapers.org) this mapping method is adopted for →mapping parties (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapping_parties)

➔ armchair mapping: consists in digitizing elements (roads, buildings, etc.) in areas for which users have no previous knowledge. Data are usually obtained from aerial/satellite imagery it is crucial to check →the copyright of the data source used!

➔ bulk import: consists of the direct upload of data which is available with an open (and compatible) license this mapping method is not →for beginners and can introduce problems if not correctly performed!

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Before really starting to organize the humanitarian mapathon, become

familiar with the OSM project, OSM mapping & HOT/Missing Maps tools:

➔ explore the OSM wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Main_Page

➔ become familiar with the OSM editors (first iD and then JOSM)

✗ a great collection of tutorials for beginners and more advanced users: http://learnosm.org/en

✗ a number of demo videos are available on YouTube as well

➔ familiarize with the humanitarian mapping using the Tasking Manager

✗ a set of videos for beginners: http://www.missingmaps.org/contribute/#learn

✗ a step-by-step tutorial on how to map: http://learnosm.org/en/coordination/humanitarian

The HOT Tasking Manager✔ The tool designed for managing collaborative humanitarian mapping in

HOT and Missing Maps projects (http://tasks.hotosm.org):

➔ the areas to be mapped are subdivided into small sub-areas, that can be completed rapidly – users map independently from each other and in different areas, to avoid conflicts

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ A mapathon is a learning event where a group of people meet together

to focus their mapping efforts on the same region of the world✔ To organize a good mapathon, there are a number of things to consider

(see http://www.missingmaps.org/host):

➔ choose a mapping task from the Tasking Manager – connect with HOT or Missing Maps to know which are the most pressing tasks

➔ register your event by filling the Missing Maps form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/174ZAAaqtRkJtyY2657RVAMbnvs8IzujWAShZy3y3_FY/viewform so that it will be included in the official list of Missing Maps events: http://www.missingmaps.org/events

➔ it is also good to add your event on the wiki listing all OSM-related events: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Current_events

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ A mapathon is a learning event where a group of people meet together

to focus their mapping efforts on the same region of the world✔ To organize a good mapathon, there are a number of things to consider

(see http://www.missingmaps.org/host):

➔ find a suitable venue according to the expected number of people:

✗ be sure there is a projector, sockets (for laptops) and good wifi!

➔ if you want/need to know the number of participants, set up a public event with free registration (using e.g. Eventbrite)

➔ spread the word about your mapathon using the channels you prefer: your company/organization website and social networks – on Twitter use @hotosm and @TheMissingMaps to further advertise the event!

➔ (optional but really great) plan a streaming presentation with a staff member of HOT or Missing Maps

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

➔ 2016-03-21 – Mapathon GEOlab

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

➔ 2016-01-18 – OSM children mapathon

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

➔ 2015-09-25 – OpenStreetMap@Como

➔ 2015-07-15 – OSM Mapping Party at FOSS4G Europe 2015

➔ 2015-04-29 – Helping Nepal with a mapping action at Como Campus

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

➔ 2016-03-21 – Mapathon GEOlab

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

➔ 2016-01-18 – OSM children mapathon

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

➔ 2015-09-25 – OpenStreetMap@Como

➔ 2015-07-15 – OSM Mapping Party at FOSS4G Europe 2015

➔ 2015-04-29 – Helping Nepal with a mapping action at Como Campus

traditional mapping parties

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

➔ 2016-03-21 – Mapathon GEOlab

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

➔ 2016-01-18 – OSM children mapathon

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

➔ 2015-09-25 – OpenStreetMap@Como

➔ 2015-07-15 – OSM Mapping Party at FOSS4G Europe 2015

➔ 2015-04-29 – Helping Nepal with a mapping action at Como Campus

traditional mapping parties

mapping for emergencies

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

➔ 2016-03-21 – Mapathon GEOlab

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

➔ 2016-01-18 – OSM children mapathon

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

➔ 2015-09-25 – OpenStreetMap@Como

➔ 2015-07-15 – OSM Mapping Party at FOSS4G Europe 2015

➔ 2015-04-29 – Helping Nepal with a mapping action at Como Campus

traditional mapping parties

mapping for emergencies

generic humanitarian mapathons

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

➔ 2016-03-21 – Mapathon GEOlab

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

➔ 2016-01-18 – OSM children mapathon

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

➔ 2015-09-25 – OpenStreetMap@Como

➔ 2015-07-15 – OSM Mapping Party at FOSS4G Europe 2015

➔ 2015-04-29 – Helping Nepal with a mapping action at Como Campus

traditional mapping parties

mapping for emergencies

with children

generic humanitarian mapathons

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2015-11-19 – Politecnico di Milano Mapathon for OSM geoweek

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-04-20 – Mapathon for Japan and Ecuador earthquakes

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ Mapathons we organized at Politecnico di Milano:

➔ 2016-03-03 – OSM MiniMapathon (read this post on HOT's blog)

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon✔ A mapathon is a learning event where a group of people meet together

to focus their mapping efforts on the same region of the world✔ To successfully close a mapathon, don't forget the following:

➔ ask participants to fill a questionnaire in order to get a feedback on the mapathon and/or to fill the Missing Maps Volunteer Survey, available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ogzGmTIeYA4NVq5SwRU-vIA9Bw1Ua7NRhrCYKUrnPqQ/viewform

➔ (possibly together with some experienced volunteers) use the Tasking Manager to make sure the quality of the mapping done is satisfactory – if not try to understand what went wrong, invalidate the task(s) and contact the user(s) to explain the problems

➔ contact all the participants and thank them for joining the mapathon

➔ quantify the mapping done using this great tool from Pascal Neis: http://resultmaps.neis-one.org/osm-changesets

Organizing an OSM humanitarian mapathon➔ quantify the mapping done using this great tool from Pascal Neis:

http://resultmaps.neis-one.org/osm-changesets

OSM humanitarian mapathon with children✔ When children are involved in the mapathon, validation of the mapping

is extremely important. Among the common mistakes made by children:

➔ wrong identification of building shapes

OSM humanitarian mapathon with children✔ When children are involved in the mapathon, validation of the mapping

is extremely important. Among the common mistakes made by children:

➔ non orthogonalization of buildings

OSM humanitarian mapathon with children✔ When children are involved in the mapathon, validation of the mapping

is extremely important. Among the common mistakes made by children:

➔ use of the wrong tag for buildings

OSM humanitarian mapathon with children✔ When children are involved in the mapathon, validation of the mapping

is extremely important. Among the common mistakes made by children:

➔ double mapping of building geometries

OSM humanitarian mapathon with children✔ When children are involved in the mapathon, validation of the mapping

is extremely important. Among the common mistakes made by children:

➔ mark as complete tasks which are not complete

Politecnico di Milano, GEOlab – Como Campus

Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como (Italy)

marco.minghini@polimi.it

@MarcoMinghini

Marco Minghini