What is #MappingEcuador?
Collaborative maps for reconstructing the coast of Ecuador
#MappingEcuador is a collaborative initiative for creating better maps to support aid work and reconstruction in the areas affected by the 2016 earthquake. It is led by Humberto Yances (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team) and Daniel Orellana (LlactaLab – Sustainable Cities research group. University of Cuenca), in coordination with the OpenStreetMap world community and a growing community of volunteers in Ecuador and other parts of the globe.
On April 16th an earthquake of about 7.8 magnitude hit the coastal region of Ecuador. In the aftermath, various initiatives arose to help those affected–among them the Collaborative Map for Ecuador, currently composed of 1000 volunteers from different parts of the world. Thanks to this effort, digital maps of the affected region (which, before the earthquake, contained very little data) underwent a 100% increase in data in the Pedernales, Portoviejo, Manta, Montecristi, and Jaramijó zones.
This initiative is realized in coordination with the National Secretary of Planning and Development, the Risk Management Secretary, the Military Geography Institute, as well as other private and public institutions.
The most recent map can be found at www.openstreetmap.org, and it is also possible to download the data in various formats as well as calculate routes between two points at this link: http://openls.geog.uni-heidelberg.de/disaster/.
The Challenge
There are still locations that need to be mapped. As this information becomes available, these will appear as tasks published in the HOT Tasking Manager platform.
The challenge is to continue with the mapping effort, uploading data to both the pre- and post-earthquake maps. It’s very important to be attentive to the different tasks on this platform, as they update daily. The next step will be to contrast the two maps to assess damage.
Many hands are needed to achieve this goal!
Who can participate?
Everyone who has a basic knowledge of computers can become a volunteer. All you need is a computer and access to the internet.
You can find all the information necessary to participate below.
IN THE NEWS
INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT
- GUIDE AND TUTORIALS
- GENERAL TELEGRAM GROUP
APPS FOR ON-SITE DATA UPLOAD
- YoVeoVeo
- Mapillary
- OSMTracker (android and windows phone only)
Fieldpapers OSM
SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTACT INFORMATION
- Twitter: @MappingEcuador
- Facebook: Mapping Ecuador
Contact information for volunteer workshops: Cuenca – LlactaLAB Universidad de Cuenca – (593 7) 4051000 Ext 2112 – Rocío González Toral chio.gonzalezt@gmail.com Quito – MediaLab – Carlos Silva carsilvav@gmail.com Loja – Acolita – Franz Pucha Acolita.com Media Contact: Cuenca – LlactaLAB Universidad de Cuenca – (593 7) 4051000 Ext 2112 – Adriana Quezada Larriva adrianaquezadal@gmail.com Quito – MediaLab – Andrea Ordóñez (593 9) 89768249 andrea@andreaordonez.org
Press Release
Collaborators
The initiative is open, collaborative, and coordinated. Thanks to all of the people, institutions and organizations that play a part in this effort.
