Program
On September 19-20, 2019 HOT will convene for a global community meeting. The entire HOT community will come together to showcase projects, discuss and share ideas, and learn how mapping projects can have impact on the lives beyond the people mapping and create better disaster and development outcomes. All sessions happen at the Chemisches Institut at HeidelBerg University.
- Thursday, Sept 19 will focus on skillbuilding workshops for all levels and in-depth discussions within the HOT Community and partners
- Friday, Sept 20 will consist of lightning talks, interesting presentations and panels on new approaches, and tools for OpenStreetMap for humanitarian mapping
THURS. SEPT 19
FRI. SEPT 20
8:30 AM
Main Lobby
Registration, Coffee & Networking
9:00 AM
Horsaal West
Welcome Remarks
Melanie Eckle & Dr. Alexander Zipf – GIScience Research Group, Heidelberg University & Rachel VanNice – HOT
9:30 AM
Kleiner Horsaal
Workshop 1: The Power of OpenStreetMap and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to Anticipate Disasters
Read abstract
This workshop will present the latest initiatives in the humanitarian sector that are using Forecast-based Financing as well as Impact-based Forecasting approaches to trigger early action. We will have an interactive debate with the audience about how the humanitarian system is moving towards a more proactive and anticipatory type of humanitarian assistance. We will also debate how the HOT community can improve anticipatory approaches, and how we can support the humanitarian sector (and other sectors) to reach at-risk populations, at the right time, before a disaster happens. This way, we can reduce the negative impacts of disasters and assure that readiness for early action can be done systematically through preparedness and risk reduction efforts.
Catalina Jaime – Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center & Stefan Scholz – German Red Cross
Horsaal Ost
Workshop 2: Dense Imagery Capture and Editing in Areas with Limited Infrastructure
Read abstract
Many of the locations mapped for humanitarian purposed rely on local mappers to collect data that is both thorough and accurate. Dense canopy cover can suggest from an aerial perspective that wilderness is on the map, but on the ground, there may be homes, businesses, roads, and more. Capturing street-level imagery presents an efficient and reliable solution. GPS-enabled cameras allow data collection in high detail and wide scale, enabling both local and remote mappers to focus on covering ground so that they can examine the data afterwards. Mapillary will lead this workshop, showing: How dense image capture differs from regular image contribution; How Mapillary imagery and derived data is useful for map editing; How Capture Projects and Mapillary for Organisations can be used to coordinate dense image capture in a specific location; How to choose and use consumer-grade camera and equipment; Methods for overcoming infrastructure and security challenges common in locations where humanitarian mapping is a priority
Ed Neerhut & Chris Beddow – Mapillary
Horsaal West
Workshop 3: Community-Driven Software Improvements
Read abstract
All of HOT’s tool development is open by default and we always want to hear what the community thinks about our technical direction. There are many ways to influence the direction of our projects - from feature implementation, testing code in different environments or contributing to the documentation, to identifying bugs, suggesting workflows to enhance the user experience or promtply reporting issues with relevant sources. We want to make HOT’s tech improvements community-driven. Our tools are better when our community contributes their skills and feedback!
Wille Marcel & Ramya Ragupathy – HOT
11:00 AM
Main Lobby
Coffee / Community Board
11:30 AM
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Public Transport in OpenStreetMap for Social and Environmental Equality
Felix Delattre – HOT
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Analysing OSM tags for the creation of an SDGs data model
Mhairi O'Hara – HOT
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Road Mapping using AI-Assisted Road Tracing Method
Wulansari Khairunisa – HOT
12:00 PM
Horsaal West
Workshop 4: Getting the Best Quality Data from the Start: Tasking Manager and Mapathons
Read abstract
There is always a first time for everyone when it comes to creating your first edit on OpenStreetMap. This data can vary in quality depending on the introduction and guidance they receive. When the data is bad, validators are left with a heavy workload. However, remote mapping organizers can play a critical role in reducing data quality issues from the very beginning. In this workshop, participants will explore how to create effective tasks on the Tasking Manager and collaboratively design a mapathon organiser guide to ensure that strong data comes out of a mapathon at the end of the day.
Geoffrey Kateregga & Jess Beutler – HOT
Horsaal Ost
Workshop 5: Using Machine Learning to Improve Humanitarian Action
Read abstract
Computers can efficiently perform multiple tasks at the same time using a detailed set of instructions. However, teaching machines to understand the world is not a simple task. This workshop will showcase the basics of computer vision. You will learn how to apply a basic workflow, from describing a digital image, to applying a machine learning algorithm for computer vision on images to detect features such as buildings. We will also show a sneak preview of how HOT is applying machine learning to the Tasking Manager and see how mappers can be assisted with enriched data to create better projects, get the right tasks into the best hands and what user flows will look like. We will also explore how machine learning might be further used for HOT, and humanitarian action in general.
Jorge Martinez & Felix Delattre – HOT
Kleiner Horsaal
Workshop 6: Ethical and Community Driven Mapping Data: HOT Community Experiences
Read abstract
Technological approaches tend to be hyped up and wrapped in discourses like ‘innovation’, while missing out on sharing stories of the ordinary, minor, and subtle matters involved in mapping. HOT has a tradition of trying to avoid such traps and do humanitarian work better by helping to democratise, diversify and decolonise mapping. Ethically, we need continue to expand and deepen this practice. But how? This discussion will provide a friendly space for our community to share stories of being a humanitarian mapping volunteer – and the everyday experiences and challenges we face.
David Garcia & Martin Dittus – Aotearoa, New Zealand and UK
Kleiner Horsaal
Discussion: YouthMappers Regional Ambassadors
Read abstract
YouthMappers has grown from 3 to over 150 chapters in just over three years. To help ensure support to the entire network YouthMappers Regional Ambassador positions were recently created to recruit new university-based chapters and onboard new chapter members to the YouthMappers vision, ethics, workflows, and partnership opportunities. These positions include hosting local training on technical participation in building and using OSM for humanitarian and development needs.
1:30 PM
Cafeteria
Lunch
2:30 PM
Main Lobby
Sponsor Space / Global OSM
3:15 PM
Kleiner Horsaal
Workshop 7: How to Use OpenStreetMap Data for Humanitarian Services
Read abstract
Humanitarian and emergency work require quick and easy access to OpenStreetMap and related data. Responders often have to quickly analyse data to understand the number of households close to a school or calculate average distances to a school or hospital. In this workshop Mapbox, GIScience Research Group, and Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT) will share tools and approaches for using OpenStreetMap data for humanitarian services. You will come away from the workshop with a thorough understanding, and resources to learn more, of how to pull OpenStreetMap data into services to facilitate decision making and informed action. This collaborative workshop is based on our experiences building and using tools like ohsome for analysis and data extraction, openrouteservice and Mapbox Traffic APIs, OSMCha, visualization tools and more.
Martin Raifer – GIScience Research Group & Mapbox
Horsaal West
Workshop 8 [Sponsored]: Using OpenStreetMap in the Field: Offline Vector-file-format for Humanitarian Field Workers
Read abstract
Humanitarians often work in environments where they need easily accessible, offline maps. This workshop will show how to download OpenStreetMap in a vector-tile-format onto your mobile device, so it takes up little memory, but maintains good visual quality. We will work with the OpenStreetMap Vector Basemap, set up in cooperation with the OpenStreetMap Foundation and hosted by Esri. You will get hands-on experience in: Preparing your area of interest of the OpenStreetMap Vector Basemap; Exporting to a mobile device via pre-planned workflow or on-demand workflow; Using with Collector
Brendan O'Neill – ESRI US & Konstantinos Vitsaras – ESRI DE
Horsaal Ost
Workshop 9 [Sponsored]: Hands On Experience Extracting Meaningful OSM Data by Using Amazon Athena with AWS Public Datasets
Read abstract
Learn how to use Amazon Athena with AWS Public Datasets to query large amounts of OSM data and extract meaningful results. We will explore the maintenance behavior of contributors after HOT mapping activations and learn how the map gets maintained, what happens after validation, if the data grows stale, and if a local community emerges. This 200 level workshop is hands on and requires familiarity with SQL. Familiarity with data science tools such as Python and Jupyter Notebooks is helpful, but not required. Sample code will be made available at the state that participants can modify and ask their own questions of the data.
Grace Kitzmiller – AWS & Jennings Anderson – University of Colorado Boulder
5:00 PM
Kleiner Horsaal
HOT Voting Members Forum
8:30 AM
Main Lobby
Registration, Coffee & Networking
9:00 AM
9:15 AM
9:25 AM
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Growing South-East Asian OpenStreetMap Communities with HOTOSM
Jinal Foflia – Grab
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Making our Dream Work- Refugees and Underrepresented Communities
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: A Failure of Disaster Mapping: Assets and Threats
Immaculate Mwanja – HOT
Horsaal West
Lightning Talks: Using a Flood Vulnerability Index for Coastal Communities: COASTMAP URABÁ in Colombia
María Fernanda Peña Valencia – University of Antioquia
10:15 AM
Horsaal West
Lessons for the Next Machine Learning Project
Read abstract
Microsoft is helping create open buildings data for Tanzania and Uganda by combining powers of volunteer humanitarian mappers, machine learning techniques and computation at scale. Deep learning methods applied to satellite imagery enables features to be detected at scale across large areas. The proposal is to get members of the technical team to discuss learnings, key challenges and findings with a broader audience. The efficiencies gained with these processes are huge and with more such efforts expected in future - sharing the knowledge gained will be beneficial to the HOT community.
Nikola Trifunovic – Microsoft
Horsaal Ost
Working together to build a map during disasters: H2H network and the Cyclone Idai response
Read abstract
Can we do better, just by working together more effectively? The H2H Network has almost 50 member organisations who provide humanitarian responders with independent, high-quality and relevant services in analysis, mapping, community engagement and more. Our members are working together to reduce duplication, increase quality and ensure gaps are filled. What does that look like in practice? With over three million people affected and hundreds of people killed, Cyclone Idai was one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. In recent weeks a similar sized hurricane has hit the Bahamas, causing significant damage to the region. In both events, MapAction was quickly on the ground, working collaboratively with other humanitarian actors to provide mapping and information management services to inform vital decision making. This talk will explore the humanitarian-to-humanitarian concept and what it means for those involved in mapping. We will look at how MapAction, OpenStreetMap, HOT and the Missing Maps Project played a vital role in the Idai and Dorian responses, ensuring relevant and timely data was available for the multiple humanitarian agencies in Mozambique and the Bahamas. We will also discuss how greater collaboration and continued use of platforms, such as HDX, can support future deployments.
Steve Penson – MapAction & Judith Burchett – H2H Network
Kleiner Horsaal
Resilient Networks, OpenStreetMap and Open Data to Achieve the SDGs
Read abstract
Open data and free and open source geospatial technologies from OpenStreetMap, from video to processed satellite imagery tools, enable a more real-time, real-life model to better prioritize, mobilize and monitor cross-sector initiatives. By layering public and private sector data within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, more impact and community-driven decisions can be made at the local, regional and national level, identifying gaps and overlaps, risks and opportunities. Map the Philippines Inc. (MapPH) has implemented this model in the agriculture, conflict and food insecure areas in Mindanao, to map rural agriculture and artisan infrastructure, study the impact of transportation infrastructure on gender, and analyze container truck logistics to shape public and private sector investment in the region. The next phase involves the transition of local communities into premium and ethical livelihoods in agriculture, artisan trades, tourism and technology.
Celina Agaton – MapPH
11:00 AM
Main Lobby
Coffee Break / Sponsor Space
11:30 AM
Horsaal West
Using AWS Solutions During Disasters
Read abstract
Join the AWS Disaster Response Program as they discuss disaster response user needs, how they are using open source mapping, and exhibit the Element 84 prototype disaster response pipeline for field data management. Learn how using an Amazon Snowball Edge preloaded with critical information, including reach-back capabilities can help first responders update data from the field from in-situ sources such as drones.
Grace Kitzmiller & Ana Visneski – AWS
Horsaal Ost
How can HOT data, machine learning and crowd-sourced data improve refugee and IDP settlements?
Read abstract
Globally, millions of people are systematically missing in national censuses and representative surveys, and excluded from humanitarian interventions, basic public services, and global settlement and population data sets. This presentation focuses on one category of the ‘Missing Millions’- refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) living in ephemeral or long-term informal settlements. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with HOT to use OpenStreetMap data, satellite remote sensing time series, machine learning, and crowd-sourcing to better place refugee and IDP settlements on the map. This talk will outline the applications of OpenStreetMap refugee settlement data for propelling these components of the Missing Millions project forward, describe successes and identify persistent challenges to mapping informal settlements, and outline next steps in partnering with HOT to co-create a more inclusive settlement dataset.
Hannah Friedrich – Oregon State University
Horsaal Ost
Digitial Information for Ebola Preparedness
Sara Amadi & Shamilah Ssekandi Nassozi – HOT
12:30 PM
Horsaal West
Mapathons, Validation & Mapping Quality - A Debate
Read abstract
Banning mapathons is a rhetorical question to start the discussion of HOT projects, quality of OSM contributions, mapathon sponsorship and validation. The outcome is aimed at actions going forward to improve how HOT tasks and mapathons can be done better.
Emmor Nile & Mikel Maron & Jorieke Vyncke & Rebecca Firth & Shamillah Nassozi & Matt Gibb
Horsaal Ost
Creating a global health facilities platform with OSM data
Tim Sutton – Kartoza & Mark Herringer – HealthSites.io
Kleiner Horsaal
#map2020: Addressing Humanitarian Challenges with Street-Level Imagery
Read abstract
20ºN and 20ºS of the equator account for a significant portion of the areas with missing maps – to solve this gap in data, HOT and Mapillary set up the #Map2020 competition to collect extensive imagery and map data in under-mapped areas. Organizations with existing mapping initiatives in locations facing humanitarian challenges were invited to participate in the competition. Each participating organization mapped their designated area on OpenStreetMap using street-level imagery and data extracted automatically with computer vision by Mapillary. The winning groups will be sharing their stories and results at the HOT Summit. By leveraging the expertise of local groups, the #Map2020 project areas will be extensively mapped, and the workflow developed will scale to other neighborhoods in the selected city and beyond.
Brenna Higgins & Lindsey Higgins – Mapillary
01:15 PM
Cafeteria
Lunch
02:30 PM
Outside Chemistry Building
HOT Summit Photo
2:45 PM
Horsaal West
Digital Volunteers in Disaster Management
Read abstract
This talk will share details of VOST. This is a trusted network of digital volunteers as part of a GO: therefore established and formalized organizational structures, as well as experience and training in civil protection. This presentation will provide a short introduction of VOST, KUBAS (a tool for integration of spontaneous volunteers) and Esri. VOST will share how they have worked with government in open mapping, as well as with trusted volunteers. What can we learn from localization and visualization of social media data and past deployments? It will discuss mapping approaches from ESRI, including the presentation of the Disaster Response Program (DRP) and OpenStreetMap data.
Holger Ziehm & Volker Tondorf – ESRI / VOST THW
Horsaal Ost
Mapping for resilience – Area-based approaches in humanitarian contexts
Read abstract
In contexts of crisis, local actors are often the first and primary providers of support for vulnerable populations. However, aid action in contexts of crisis is largely planned and implemented by international actors (UN and INGOs). Developed around national-level coordination structures, aid action often fails to understand and engage with sub-national and local actors. This lack of engagement has repeatedly led to, at best, sub-optimal targeting and duplication of aid efforts and, at worst, an undermining of the role and capacity of local actors. Under the term “area-based approach”, IMPACT Initiatives aims to leverage synergies between local actors and exogenous aid stakeholders; and the use of settlements as the territorial unit for the planning, coordination and provision of aid and basic services.
Sebastian Langer – IMPACT Initiatives
Kleiner Horsaal
How do images get to mappers?
Read abstract
To get imagery to mappers in an activation, we have to use satellites in space, but space is hard. Getting pixels to where they’re needed is complex. The imagery-coordination group was made for streamlining and coordinating requests during HOT activations between people on the ground, HOT mappers, and imagery providers. Working together, we make sure imagery flows to the people who need it. Join Pratik Yadav (Imagery team, Mapbox) as they discuss: The imagery business, current players, and the future. How open data is open data? How could it be better? (With examples!) How can people make the most effective imagery requests?
Pratik Yadav – Mapbox
3:30 PM
Main Lobby
Coffee Break / Sponsor Space
4:00 PM
Horsaal West
How can we use remote sensing technology to assess exposure to natural hazards? The METEOR Project
Mhairi O'Hara – HOT & Garauv Thapa – Kathmandu Living Labs & Emmanuel Kombe – OpenMap Development - Tanzania (OMDTZ)
Horsaal Ost
Using AI to Map the World with Facebook's RapiD editor
Read abstract
With AI assistance, Facebook mappers have recently mapped more than 300,000 miles of roads in Thailand in only 18 months, and more than 90 percent of missing roads in Indonesia. Without AI assistance, this would have taken an estimated three to five years longer. Now, Facebook has made this technology available for everyone to use through Map With AI (https://mapwith.ai) and RapiD. The Map With AI service includes access to AI-generated road mappings in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, with more countries rolling out over time. The RapiD editor builds on this service. RapiD is an enhanced version of the popular OpenStreetMap editing tool iD designed to make adding and editing roads quick and simple for anyone to use; it also includes data integrity checks to ensure that new map edits are consistent and accurate.
Christopher Klaiber & Zack LaVergne – Facebook
Kleiner Horsaal
#LetGirlsMap: YouthMappers Growing Female Open Data Leaders
Jess Bergmann – HOT & YouthMappers
5:00 PM
Horsaal Ost
Code4Africa
Read abstract
Code4Africa is Africa's largest civic technology/open data initiative. We have physical labs in six African countries, and affiliate labs in another four countries. We also support work elsewhere on the continent. Our labs all have software/hardware engineers, data scientists/analysts and digital storytellers (journalists, designers, videographers, etc). We build digital democracy tools, and amplify the voices of our partners in watchdog civic organisations (both in government and civil society), as well as in the media.
Justin Arenstein – Code4Africa
Kleiner Horsaal
Mapping Indigenous Communities with the Canadian Red Cross Missing Maps Pilot
Read abstract
When communities experience an emergency, knowing the location of community infrastructure, vulnerable areas, and people will improve disaster planning, response and recovery. Missing Maps is an initiative to build a comprehensive open map of the world by supporting communities in putting themselves on the map. In Summer 2018, the Canadian Red Cross launched a pilot to work with community members in order to assist communities to create and manage digital maps of their area to incorporate local expertise and directly support emergency preparedness using OpenStreetMap. The Missing Maps initiative provides an opportunity to map the large parts of Canada that remain unmapped or poorly mapped. This talk will introduce the pilot, its initial outcomes and some of the challenges experienced when mapping Indigenous communities in OpenStreetMap.
Melanie Chabot – Canadian Red Cross
5:45 PM
Horsaal West
Close/Wrap-up + Evening Brief
6:00 PM
Marstall
Social event in partnership with State of the Map
See for map location or read details on the website