#map2020 for better maps in undermapped regions

What is #map2020?

#map2020is a collaboration between the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Mapillary, and local mappers to scale image and map data collection in under-mapped areas. The name 2020 comes from the 20ºN and 20ºS of the equator which account for a significant portion of the areas with missing maps. 2020 also represents the year which provides us with a milestone to work towards with the objective being extensive imagery and map data in a few of these locations around the world.

What does it involve?

The idea of the project is to leverage the expertise of local groups to comprehensively map designated areas using street-level imagery and data extracted automatically with computer vision. By making street-level imagery collection a core part of the workflow from the beginning of the project, we will be able to gather extensive map in the chosen area and scale these methods in similar environments around the world.

HOT and Mapillary will work together to select two of the most compelling case studies and they will be invited to share their results at the HOT Summit in Heidelberg in September 2019.

We’re inviting established organizations around the world to submit expressions of interest to participate in this project. These can be large/small local/international organizations; the main criterion is that they are already working on mapping-related humanitarian challenges.

What are the project requirements?

Here is what you need to do in the project you submit:

Determine the humanitarian challenge that your project is addressing. You are encouraged to choose a challenge your organization is already working on. #map2020 is a focused project where you can implement a new mapping workflow that addresses your stated challenge from a different angle.
Define a manageable area of interest where this challenge is an issue.
Determine at least three map attributes that you will be adding to OpenStreetMap and how the collection of this information helps to address the challenge you have described. These map attributes should be visible within street-level imagery.
Organize and complete dense street-level image capture in your chosen location using equipment such as smartphones and action cameras.
Edit with this imagery in OpenStreetMap, adding the attributes relevant to your project.

How do I choose the mapping focus?

Each participating group should select three OpenStreetMap tags to focus on for the project. These tags should meet the following criteria:

An accepted tag in the OpenStreetMap Wiki
Discernable from street-level imagery
Relevant to the challenge you’re trying to address
Contained within your focus area

Example

In this project, we’re using Mapillary to identify which areas of XXX are flood prone and how infrastructure or a lack thereof may be contributing to the problem.

Tags:

surface=*
Knowing the surface type of roads and paths will give us a better indication of how easily the road will erode and which roads water is more likely to pool.

ditch=yes
Drawing and tagging ditches alongside roads and settlements will give us an indication of where waters are likely to flow during heavy rainfall.

manhole=drain
This is a useful tag to see where water should be flowing or where potential blockages in water flow are occurring.

What are the organizational requirements?

The #map2020 project aims to build upon existing humanitarian mapping initiatives rather than reinventing the wheel. For this reason, we are making it a requirement for participants to submit project ideas that leverage local and international organizations.

Each location is to nominate one person as the project lead. The project lead is responsible for coordinating all the project participants, submitting project information to HOT and Mapillary, and ensuring deadlines for the project are met. The project lead of the winning project will be invited to present their results at the 2019 HOT Summit in Heidelberg, Germany, on 19–20 September.

For example, HOT Tanzania could take an existing project focused on flood reduction and response in Dar es Salaam and outline how street-level imagery can be used to achieve their existing objectives. Other organizations such as the World Bank, local and national government, and local transportation companies would be welcome to participate, but HOT Tanzania and their chosen project lead would be the prime responsible to the #map2020 project.

How to participate?

If you would like to be involved in #map2020, please fill out our intention to participate form here. We will be in touch with you to confirm your involvement in the #map2020 project.

Where can I learn how to use street-level imagery in my project?

Mapillary will be offering applicants webinar sessions during the campaign to walk them through the key tasks involved and discuss creative solutions to challenges that may arise. Topics we'll cover include:

How to plan capture and work with capture equipment and cameras
Uploading methods
Using the imagery and derived data in OpenStreetMap
How computer vision and machine learning can be used in each project

Who gets the fully-funded trip to HOT Summit?

After the mapping period ends, two projects will be invited to send their representative to HOT Summit in Heidelberg, Germany, where they will present the projects and findings to the international humanitarian mapping community. The trip (flights, accommodation, and HOT Summit entrance) is fully funded by Mapillary and HOT.

To be considered as one of the two successful projects to travel to HOT Summit on September 19–20, a project must have uploaded at least 200,000 images to Mapillary by the end of the campaign period (June 30) and have used the images to address a humanitarian or development challenge.

Join #map2020 to create better maps in undermapped regions

Criteria for projects

Commonly asked questions