OpenStreetMap trainingon August 12-13, 2016
- Two days long OpenStreetMap training (Data For Action Project) at IDMVS , University of Dhaka; Arranged by Dhaka City Red Crescent Unit, (BDRCS) and OSMBD, Dhaka on August 12-13, 2016.
Every year Bangladesh is affected by the devastating natural and human-induced disasters . It is one of the most vulnerable countries because of the geographical location as well as meteorological characteristics. According to Country Disaster Risk Management Status Report 2016, during the 10-year time frame of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005 to 2015), over 700 thousand people lost their lives and the total economic loss was more than $1.3 trillion. We all know that it is impossible to turn the scale of vulnerability into 0% but we can reduce the risk and vulnerability by merging with the new technology .The new dynamism of OpenStreetMap can create a huge difference by contributing to the humanitarian purpose . OpenStreetMap is a free licensed mapping system , anyone can get free data for using the web -based mapping and anyone can edit the maps. With the collaboration of Dhaka City Red Crescent Unit (BDRCS) and OpenStreetMap Bangladesh(OSMBD
), have arranged two days training for the students of Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies. The main vision of this OSM training for the disaster management students was enriching their skills by using the open geographical data to identify the hazard , disaster , the vulnerability of any area , navigational and other humanitarian purposes . Moreover, the IDMVS faculty wanted to improve the capacity of the students, to do web –based map analysis instead of social mapping in their academic research. In 12 -13 August 2016 , the TOT (Training of Trainers ) on OpenStreetMap (OSM) was conducted at Lecture Theatre Building [First Floor] , University of Dhaka, Dhaka. This training was started from 09.00 am -05.00pm and it solely attended by the 20 students of Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability studies , University of Dhaka .
The training began with the presentation by Ahasanul Hoque as Geospatial data management consultant of World Bank Bangladesh. In this presentation, he presented the concept and the use of OSM data by showing all the activities around Bangladesh , especially in Disaster Management sector . After that , the training started with the practical session in which the participants practice their skill using ID Editor and JOSM mapping tools . This training led by Ahasanul Hoque and assisted by Sawan Shariar and Atikur Rahman atik from OSM community Bangladesh.In this long Open Street Map training for two days has divided into many sessions .
DAY 1
The first day of the training , the practical session divided into 2 sessions which were
Introduction and the Use of iD EDITOR in OSM.
Functions of Field Papers.
This practical session started with opening an account in iD editor , this web-based mapping tool always needed to be connected to the internet . Then all the students made their own OSM account by iD editor before the training began with its own enthusiastic wave . The participants were learned how to configure the background layer and how to do basic edit with iD editor along with knowing additional information and custom tags. Data that used in editing in this session was specially the home address of the individual participants .
After the lunch break , the participants were introduced to the Field Papers website . The participants were taught how to create a printable map atlas for anywhere in the world . They were learned how to print and add notes to the field papers. Moreover, as a practical implication , the participants were taken part in Fieldwork around the campus for using the field paper and marked the place which was shown in it
After the mapping party , they were come back to the training room and then upload the data from the snapshot by using the field papers website with the help of internet . The first day of the training session was ended with the horizontal development with the shores of knowledge as well as the fervent smiling faces of the participants .
DAY2
The next day the training started with its full swing at the same place at the same time like the day before . The Second day of the training , the practical session divided into 3 sessions which were ---Introduction and the Use of JOSM in OSM.
Introduction in HOT &Teach Tasking Manager .
Map edit and upload related software and mobile apps.
In the second day of the training , the first session started with introducing JAVA Open Street Mapping (JOSM). At first the training starting off, when all the participants already installed the java and then installed the JOSM . The training started with the basic knowledge of JOSM and then continued it with the basic editor and tags in JOSM . The participants were learned to use plugs in JOSM , activate imagery providers and upload data by using JOSM. After understanding how to run JOSM quickly , the participants were learned how to use JOSM offline by saving the important files for editing .
In the second session , the participants have instituted by the Humanitarian OSM Team collaborative mapping tool which is known as HOT Tasking Manager and Teach Tasking Manager . They were learned how to divide up a mapping job into smaller tasks that can be completed rapidly. The participants also used how to edit the maps both in teach and hot tasking manager not only editing by ID editor but also editing by JOSM. The data used in editing which was 215 DRM mapping in Kawakhola Union of Sirajgonj sadar upazilla and 2060 Peace Corps Malawi – Liwonde.
After learning the Tasking manager , the participants were introduced by many maps editing Mobile apps . The mobile apps are OSMTracker for Android , Map ME , Vespucci , Mapillary . But the most interesting part of that session was introducing the online Android game "Mapswipe' . Just by clicking every tap, the whole family during the disaster can be helped by putting it on the map through this game . The participants were fascinated by knowing the use of all these mobile apps and installed these games in their android phones .
The training was good . Even though there was not enough space to arrange these 20 participants but the passionate minds of the participants were enough to make them solving this tiny problem .From the beginning of the training, the internet connection that provided by organizer was commendable enough until the end of the training .
The main credit goes to this successful training , by the pioneer of OSMBD Ahasanul Hoque who has to widen the knowledge of the participants by introducing the new wisdom path through the enlightenment of web- based mapping tools. Special thanks go to the director of IDMVS , Dr. Mahabuba Nasrin for permitting the participants to use the IDMVS lab as the training room and encourage the students to implement the mapping knowledge in research . Moreover ,the assistant professor of IDMVS , Khalid Hasan who always appreciated the students to enrich them with the power of diversifying knowledge and help to arrange the whole training properly .
The participants also said that OSM is a great platform for them and it has some extraordinary useful concepts in the context of Disaster Management . They included that they will use this mapping tool during any kind of disaster-related research . Finally, the training was closed by the photo session between trainers and the participants .