News — 26 January, 2021

Community Data for Improved Disaster Management and Urban Planning — Mwanza, Tanzania (by OMDTZ)

OpenMap Development Tanzania reports on mapping and capacity building in Mwanza City, Tanzania.

This article originally appeared on OpenMap Development Tanzania’s blog.

Community generated data has proven to be the most reliable information that reflects the community’s situation and the challenges they face. Working with community members to collect data in their own neighborhood increases data reliability, validity and its ultimate use as the community believes in the data and has a sense of ownership.

Spatial Collective, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, and OpenMap Development Tanzania spent the last five months expanding its community mapping initiatives to Mwanza City. Working with 79 students from the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) and St. Augustine University of Tanzania we were able to collect a series of disaster-related data touching on flood-prone areas, rockfall incidents, urban exposure, and drainage infrastructure. The work focused on two municipalities: Nyamagana and Ilemela.

Read more on OpenMap Development Tanzania’s blog.

Photo: Primoz Kovacic, Spatial Collective