The Peace Corps OpenStreetMap toolkit is a constantly-updated repository of tools, how-to guides, resources, contacts and awesome content related to OpenStreetMap and geospatial data.This toolkit is intended to provide Peace Corps Staff, Volunteers and counterparts with an accessible set of materials focused on promoting activities and trainings around OpenStreetMap and geospatial data.
To contribute, click README.md and then the pencil icon. Make your changes and click the "Propose file change" button to submit a pull request. Make sure to follow the contributions guidelines in CONTRIBUTING.md.
***The links and associated context is provided as-is, and any link or reference to external materials is not an endorsement of that material on the part of Peace Corps.
##Introduction
Since digital mapping trainings successfully debuted at the Stomp Out Malaria Boot Camp, Peace Corps Volunteers and posts around the globe have worked to help their host communities put themselves “on the map” via OpenStreetMap (OSM). Geospatial data provides rigor to projects in every sector by enabling PCVs and counterparts to make data-driven decisions and visualize project info. PCVs who help their communities put themselves on OSM leave behind an incredibly useful, tangible resource and empower their communities to allocate resources more effectively, track the effects of climate change, participate in epidemiology, promote local businesses and more. Digital maps are also crucial for resilience building, and OSM is the map of choice for humanitarian responders in case of natural disaster. Peace Corps’ key role in international digital mapping efforts have been featured at the White House and presented at the United Nations.
##Principles
Peace Corps Volunteers, staff and counterparts who use OpenStreetMap and other geospatial data in their work are encouraged to do so with the following principles in mind (with many thanks to the fantastic Peace Corps [T4D Playbook] (https://github.com/PeaceCorps/t4d-playbook) :
####1. Listen to the community Volunteers put in the time, the energy, and the importance of becoming a part of their communities and understanding them to the best of their abilities. Think of your communities first, and on the impact that your efforts will have on the lives of those around them. Focus on enabling environments and empowerment for those closest to the problem.
####2. Design for scale and sustainability Volunteers look to have global impact through community-level actions -- and not simply in the near-term. The changes in communication and technologies allow Volunteers to share experiences, resources, and models for replicating, scaling, and transforming their efforts across our global reach.
####3. Focus on needs and challenges, not on technologies Focus on solving local problems that are debated, defined and refined by local people in an ongoing process. Foster real results – real solutions to real problems that have real impact: they build trust, empower people and promote sustainability.
####4. Co-create and build with buy-in Legitimize at all levels (political, managerial and social), building ownership and momentum throughout the process to be ‘locally owned’ in reality (not just on paper). Volunteers are by nature and training inclusive. They bring anyone and everyone to the table—the ones with strong voices as well as those who have not traditionally had a voice at the table. Peace Corps knows that we can go further, together.
####5. Tinker, make, do Volunteers are tinkerers, makers, and hackers. Volunteers do more with less. They help their communities to start where they are, use what they have, and do what they can—starting the day they arrive.
####6. Open data
Data that can be open and accessible should be open and accessible. In other words, if you collect geospatial data that would be of genuine interest to the public, such as points of interest or alternate names of villages, you should include it in OpenStreetMap so that others may benefit from your work. Data should be stored in machine-readable formats such as spreadsheets or CSV files, rather than PDFs, when possible. For an introduction to open data, read the Open Knowledge Foundation's Open Data Handbook.
####7. Humans > data, always
Volunteers think first of their communities, and look to help them in ways that protect the privacy, safety, and security of everyone they engage with. Some data that Peace Corps Volunteers and their colleagues collect and use -- for example, in public health projects -- could contain personal and sensitive information about humans that needs to be well-protected and secured. For solid tips on data responsibility, read "Shooting our hard drive into space and other ways to practice responsible development data".
####8. Diversity and inclusivity
Data collection and OpenStreetMap activities should intentionally promote diversity and inclusivity. Peace Corps Volunteers and counterparts should include minority populations, such as women, in their data collection and OpenStreetMap projects. Data collection tends to incorporate implicit biases, especially regarding women and groups that don't identify with binary genders. For more information, read TechChange's "The Case for Gender Data".
####9. Human Centered Design
Human Centered Design emphasizes empathy, optimism, learning from failure and rapid iteration -- the hallmarks of any great Peace Corps project. Blend design and implementation through rapid cycles of planning, action, reflection and revision (drawing on local knowledge, feedback and energy) to foster learning from both success and failure. Manage risks by making ‘small bets’: pursuing activities with promise and dropping others. To learn more about how to use Human Centered Design in your Peace Corps work (highly recommended!), see IDEO's Design Kit and Field Guide to Human Centered Design.
##Peace Corps OpenStreetMap Projects in a Box
Peace Corps OSM "Projects in Box" were written specifically for PCVs in the field and counterparts to put their communities on OSM in innovative ways. This content includes a Community Mapping Training Guide (in the Points of Interest doc) and guides to throwing mapping parties, adding local points of interest to OSM, bike and map tours, OSM map murals and more.
Projects in a Box include:
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One Day Project: Mapping Party
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One Week Project: Community Mapping Training and Mapping Points of Interest
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One Week Project: Bike and Map Tour
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One Week Project: Girls Map!
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One Month Project: OpenStreetMap Wall Mural
##Peace Corps Mapping Trainings
While any good Peace Corps trainer will always customize resources and knowledge to fit their local context, this template provides a great starting point for Peace Corps Volunteers, staff and counterparts to present an introduction to mapmaking. The "Intro to Mapping for Peace Corps" slide deck can be found [here] (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vhoaPy0jB4CuUi76ypZmjyZO6ueBjigVwF8bRM-pzlI/edit?usp=sharing).
##For Post Staff
The Office of Innovation has identified several key opportunities to involve your post in the Peace Corps Mapping Initiative. We are happy to help facilitate any of the following activities, in addition to projects designed by your post or PCVS:
1. Invitee trainings. We offer an eight to ten week invitee engagement program that will train your invitees in OSM and the basics of geospatial data. The program requires about an hour of invitee time per week and includes an interactive video chat session.
2. Projects in a box. We have developed a series of short, engaging toolkits that any PCV can pick up and easily implement at site. All projects in a box plus other OSM and geospatial data resources can be found in our OSM toolkit on Github at http://bit.ly/1Rpaj8B.
3. Virtual PCV and/or post staff trainings. Via video chat, we offer trainings for your post staff and/or PCVs in OSM and the use of geospatial data. We’ll work with you to customize the trainings based on your sectors or post’s needs -- e.g. how to create an easy-to-edit map of your capital for your Safety and Security Manager. To date we have led virtual trainings for a range of clients, including the Mozambique’s Stomp Out Malaria committee and Guyana’s SSM and Training Managers.
To involve your post in any of these activities, propose a different activity, or for more information please contact Courtney Clark, Mapping Initiative Lead, at [email protected].
##Right Now in Peace Corps
Current Peace Corps Tasking Manager tasks
Powerful Mesa -- Realtime mapping efforts of #PeaceCorps on OpenStreetMap
##OSM Tutorials
MapGive is an initiative of the State Department's Humanitarian Information Unit. MapGive features several highly recommended video tutorials explaining the importance of OSM for humanitarian response and how to edit using the iD editor.
LearnOSM offers tutorials on a variety of OSM topics, including the iD editor, the JOSM editor, Field Papers, organizing mapping trainings, remote mappings, using a GPS device and more. Tutorials are in English, German, French, Croatian, Bahasa Indonesia, Italian, Chinese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian and Kiswahili.
TeachOSM offers a great curriculum for educators to incorporate OSM into their classrooms. The site includes assessment tools and case studies.
Basics of Geodata and Open Mapping, Max Richman for Tech Change on Youtube. January 20, 2015.
[Be a Mapper] (http://beamapper.com/) provides a basic but clear overview of how to join the OpenStreetMap community.
##OSM Tools
Field Papers allow you to print an atlas, record what you see in the world through street mapping, and upload the data to OpenStreetMap.
Maps.me allows you to download fast, detailed and completely offline maps for mobile devices.
Big Map is a free software web service that allows you to print large maps of OSM data from your browser.
MapOSMatic is a free software web service that allows you to generate maps of cities using OpenStreetMap data. The generated maps are available in PNG, PDF and SVG formats and are ready to be printed.
[Mapillary] (http://www.mapillary.com/map) is a service for crowdsourcing map photos.
##Map community building with Maptime
Maptime is an open learning environment for all levels and degrees of knowledge, offering intentional educational support for the beginner. Maptime is simultaneously flexible and structured, creating space for mapping tutorials, workshops, ongoing projects with a shared goal, and independent/collaborative work time. Beginners most welcome!
Inspiration for Maptime comes from both hack nights and knitting circles. Both are models of spaces for people to create and learn together. Our goal is to provide this space with an open heart and without pretension. You can bring your own projects to work on, or just hang out and socialize or ask questions. Some people are experts, and some people are just getting started, but all of us are learning, so why not do it together?
That’s our story. Come be a part of it.
Maps for all forever! --From the Maptime website
Anyone can start a chapter! See a list of current Maptime chapters here. We'd love for Peace Corps Volunteers and counterparts to experiment with starting a Maptime chapter at their site or in their nearest city. For more information about starting a chapter, email [email protected]. And then let Courtney Clark know at [email protected], because you're awesome and she'll want to brag about you.
##GIS (Geographic Information System) and Mapping Tools Overviews
What your favorite map projection says about you, a la XKCD
Introduction to Geographic Data Formats from Maptime
Anatomy of a Web Map from Maptime, by Alan McConchie and Beth Schechter
Penn State Open Educational Resources -- Geography. Penn State offers a wide range of free online geography and GIS courses, including Problem-Solving with GIS, Cartography and Visualization, Open Web Mapping, and Location Intelligence for Business.
Harvard Introduction to GIS. This introduction to GIS tutorial consists of a three-part movie accompanied by hands-on exercises. An ArcGIS license is required to complete the exercises.
ESRI - ArcGIS -- Leader in GIS software and solutions
Ushahidi - Crowdmapping -- Free, open source, downloadable, flagship product
MapBox -- Pick from a dozen beautifully designed maps and add it to your application in just a few seconds. Our mobile iOS and Android SDKs and our JavaScript API for the web make it easy. Everything is open source
QGIS -- Free and Open Source Geographic Information System
["The last unmapped places on Earth",] (www.bbc.com/future/story/20141127-the-last-unmapped-places) BBC. November 28, 2014.
The Quick and Dirty on Data Visualization, Harvard Business Review. April 16, 2014.
Data Visualizations Done Wrong, Noah Iliinsky for ORD Camp on Youtube. February 20, 2012.
Types of Data Visualization, Jeffrey Heer, Michael Bostock, and Vadim Ogievetsky of Stanford University.
How the UN Should Revolutionize Its Data
Social Media, Crisis Mapping and the New Frontier of Disaster Response
World Bank Commits to Open GeoData
World Bank Mapping 4 Results intro video
USAID Welcomes the Crowd to Use Geo-Mapping Tools for Open Source Development
Geocoding: A Route to Deeper Transparency for the African Development Bank
On a Quest for Aid Information That Is Actually Useful: Can Nepal Show the Way?
Crowdsourcing Geospatial Data for Development Project
Factors Affecting Geographic Information Systems Implementation and Use in Healthcare Sector: The Case of OpenHealthMapper in Developing Countries
Geodata for Development: A Practical Approach
The Localized Geography of Foreign Aid: A New Dataset and Application to Violent Armed Conflict.
Using GIS Technology to Reach Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Populations
3D GIS Site planning in the field -- An innovative mobile collaborative solution for humanitarian workers. This project is a recipient of the Stars in Global Health Phase I award
Why GeoMapping is worth a Thousand Words
Slumdog mapmakers fill in the urban blanks
Crowdsourcing 2.0: Why Putting the Slum on a Map is not Enough
International Development and GIS
Shadrok Roberts on Crowdsourcing at USAID & Geodata (video)
USAID Development Data Available on ArcGIS Online
OSM for Malaria Eradication in Botswana Case Study. By Theresa Govert and Mike Banfield, Peace Corps Botswana. February 2015.
"'Re mmogo!' The White House, Peace Corps and You -- Together We Can Map Botswana". By Theresa Govert, Mike Banfield and Christy Nekvinda, Peace Corps Botswana. May 26, 2015, Peace Corps Passport.
"Mapping and the Power of the Crowd: Peace Corps' Response to Disaster in Vanuatu". By Courtney Clark, Peace Corps Innovation Fellow. April 3, 2015, Peace Corps Passport.
"A Break in the Clouds for Open-Source Mapping". By Conor Sanchez, Peace Corps Nicaragua. February 11, 2015.
"Botswana Weekly Awesome: How do you eat an elephant?" By Theresa Govert, Peace Corps Botswana. October 30, 2014, Stomp Out Malaria.
"OpenStreetMap: Mapping Power to the People". By Erica Hagen, Founder of Map Kibera. June 5, 2015, Medium.
OSM Humanitarian and Government Case Studies
"The technology that could revolutionize the war on hunger". By Terrence McCoy. June 16, 2015, for The Washington Post. "For government, OpenStreetMap is more than excellent data. It's a transformation". By Mikel Maron, Presidential Innovation Fellow and MapGive. March 2015, OpenStreetMap.US.
"Let Data Drive Your Projects" features Peace Corps Botswana's use of OSM and GIS tools for malaria eradication. June, 2015, Peace Corps Times
GOTUS Steps out at the first ever White House Mapathon includes shout-outs to Peace Corps and our student mapper, Charlie. Not shown in the video are the three Botswana PCVs who addressed the White House audience via Google Hangout. June 1, 2015.
Alice Deal Middle School's podcast features the GIS club's experience mapping for Peace Corps communities on OSM. May 21, 2015.
Facebook and R -- Tutorial on the famous Facebook connections infographic
Great Circles Connections -- Mapping connections globally with circle arcs
CartoDB Map Academy. Learn to create maps on the web and visualize geospatial data using CartoDB.
QGIS Walkthrough. TechChange on Youtube. February 12, 2015.
QGIS Interactive Tutorial from Harvard
Mapping with Google Fusion Tables from Maptime and Alan McConchie of Stamen Design
Intro to Leaflet from Maptime Boston
Intro to Leaflet from JS Luxembourg
Simple Map D3 -- Building a simple map with D3
D3 Bostock Bubble Map -- Graduated symbol map
GeoPlatform -- Shared and trusted geospatial data, services, and applications for use by the public and by government agencies and partners to meet their mission needs
UNDP Projects -- Detailed information on the UNDP’s 6,000+ development projects in 177 countries and territories worldwide. Browse the summaries, click a filter on the right, or search through the full list of projects
Map Custom Designs -- Custom layers colors and labels
TileMill -- Design studio to create stunning interactive maps
Mapshaper - GeoJSON and TopoJSON -- Tools for editing geospatial vector data
Open Street Map Directions -- Google Maps alternative
Datamaps -- Customizable SVG map visualizations for the web in a single Javascript file using D3.js
Distillery -- Simplify geoJSON at variable rates
GeoNames -- Covers all countries and contains over eight million placenames that are available for download free of charge.
PolyMaps -- JavaScript Maps Library
ModestMaps -- Small Mapping Framework
CartoDB --
Mapbox Animation Library - Easey --
[How GIS Empowers You to Build a Smart Community] (https://www.govloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Esri-Smarter-Communities-Infographic.pdf)
[Building Healthy Communities with GIS] (http://event.lvl3.on24.com/event/10/25/70/3/rt/1/documents/resourceList1439397744958/building_healthy_communities_ip.pdf)
[Building Healthy Communities with GIS Slide Deck] (https://www.govloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Esri-OT-8.13-PDF.pdf)
Mapping Latinos in the US Example
World Bank with Farseer Physics Project
Climate Change and African Political Stability Map - Robert Strauss Center
CartoDB Example -- Example of CartoDB from Brazil and Germany
Live Weather on Mapbox.js -- Live data feeds as custom-styled layers on top of your custom MapBox maps
UN OCHA Common and Fundamental Operational Datasets
United Nations Environment Programme
The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program Spatial Data Repository
U.S. Census Bureau - International Programs
##Promoting Diversity in Mapping
OpenStreetMap Wiki page on Diversity in OSM
Improving Diversity in OpenStreetMap Kathleen Danielson, MapZen and OpenStreetMap Foundation, State of the Map 2015
The Threads of OSM Discussions: Are the Doors Really Open? Alyssa Wright, MapZen
####State of the Map 2015
All State of the Map 2015 talks
OpenStreetMap and Peace Corps, Courtney Clark, Peace Corps Innovation Fellow
Your Neighbor is Mapping, Heather Leson, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team and Ivan Gayton, Medecins sans Frontieres
For Government, OpenStreetMap is More than Excellent Data. It's a Transformation. Mikel Maron, Presidential Innovation Fellow and MapGive
Missing Maps, Drishtie Patel, GIS analyst at the American Red Cross
OpenMapKit, Dale Kunce, Senior Geospatial Engineer at the American Red Cross
O.S.M.B.A: The Future and History of Companies in OpenStreetMap, Randy Meech, CEO MapZen
There are a wide variety of OSM email lists that might be of interest to Peace Corps Volunteers, staff and counterparts. These include the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, diversity, newbies, and the general list. Some country groups also have their own email lists that can keep you updated on events and trainings in your Peace Corps country. To see the full list of the lists and to suscribe, click here.
##Local OSM Communities in Peace Corps Countries
Albania:
Armenia:
Azerbaijan:
Belize:
Benin:
Botswana:
Burkina Faso:
Cambodia:
Cameroon:
China: private surveying and mapping activities are illegal in China, including OpenStreetMap. See the wiki.
Colombia:
Comoros:
Costa Rica:
Dominican Republic:
Ecuador
Ethiopia:
Fiji:
Ghana:
Guatemala
Guinea:
Guyana:
Georgia:
Indonesia:
Jamaica:
Kenya:
Kosovo:
Lesotho:
Liberia:
Macedonia:
Madagascar:
Malawi:
Mali:
Mexico:
Moldova:
Mongolia:
Mozambique
Morocco:
Namibia:
Nepal:
Nicaragua:
Niger:
Panama:
Paraguay:
Peru:
Philippines
Rwanda:
Samoa:
Senegal:
Sierra Leone:
South Africa:
Swaziland:
Tanzania
Thailand
Tonga
The Gambia:
Togo:
Uganda:
Ukraine:
Vanuatu:
Zambia: