Organised Editing/Activities/Mapping for Impact
Mapping for Impact is a community partnership program led by OpenStreetMap US to support organizations in civic, environmental, and social sectors to solve targeted challenges and data gaps across the US using OpenStreetMap. Through Mapping for Impact, OpenStreetMap US works to:
- Create data that is needed, where it’s needed. There are still unmapped places in the United States. By working with partnering organizations, we can focus efforts and energy on completing mapping projects with direct impact. And by focusing mapping efforts through tools such as MapRoulette and the Tasking Manager, we can help ensure that the data that is mapped meet the quality standards our community expects and our partners need.
- Connect mappers with partners. OpenStreetMap US collaborates with local groups on how to support Mapping for Impact partners when and where geographies overlap. Where on-the-ground mapping and support are needed, we’ll need the support of local mapping groups, meetups, and individual mappers based in those areas.
- Catalyze meaningful learning opportunities for students. In collaboration with TeachOSM, we’re developing lessons for educators to bring Mapping for Impact to the classroom. This will provide educators with service-based learning opportunities with direct impact here in the US. In the future, we would love to create opportunities for university students and groups to further engage with these partners.
OSM US works closely with each partner to ensure their needs also benefit the OpenStreetMap project & community, conducts an assessment to align data needs with tagging guidelines, and manages responsible mapping activities in collaboration with the OpenStreetMap community, particularly local communities where the project scope overlaps.
New partnerships and projects are announced on the talk-us mailing list, OpenStreetMap US newsletter, OpenStreetMap US blog, the OSM US Slack, and social media channels. Regular updates are provided through all channels.
Projects
This table provides an overview of all projects under the Mapping for Impact program. Each project has its own wiki page to provide further detail and mapping guidance.
| Partner | Project | Dates | Status | Description | Hashtag(s) | Communication | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KABOOM! | Mapping for Playspace Equity in Philadelphia -
TM Project #252 |
July - Sept. 2021 | Completed & Validated | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping playgrounds in Philadelphia. Remotely mapping playgrounds will provide KABOOM! data on the number and size of playspaces in Philadelphia. After completing remote mapping, there will be opportunities for local mappers to support by filling in features with quality data on the ground. KABOOM! is the national nonprofit that works to end playspace inequity for good. We define playspace inequity as a lack of access to and a sense of belonging in quality playspaces due to the effects of systemic racism in communities across the country. Read more about the project and partnership here. | #kaboom #mapping-for-impact #play-mapping | #play-mapping channel on OSM US Slack | Jess Beutler |
| Parks & Playspace Mapping in Colorado - | December 2021 - April 2022 | Completed & Validated | KABOOM! is working to achieve playspace equity by building quality playgrounds and playspaces in the United States where they're needed the most. You can help support this cause by mapping parks & playspaces in Colorado (Otero County, Rio Grande County, East Colfax Corridor). The Colorado Health Foundation is supporting KABOOM! to develop a strategic roadmap that details not only where playgrounds are, but their condition- enabling KABOOM!, community members, municipal leaders, and other philanthropic partners to accurately understand what playspace inequity looks like within these communities and address it through advocacy and data-guided investment. This playspace location data will become the basis of this roadmap. | #mapping-for-impact
#play-mapping #kaboom-co | |||
| Rising Tide Effect | Swimming Pools in NYC | May 2022 - present | Ongoing | Rising Tide Effect is working to reduce social inequity and make our communities safer for children and parents by sharing the aquatic experience. You can help support this cause by mapping indoor and outdoor swimming facilities, and adding critical details where possible, in New York. Mapping these features will provide Rising Tide Effect with to help advocate for and improve youth access to swimming facilities. | #mapping-for-impact #risingtideeffect-nyc | #swimming-pool channel on OSM US Slack |
Contact
If you have any questions, concerns, or want to get involved with Mapping for Impact, please contact OSM US Program Director Jess Beutler at jess@openstreetmap.us or on the OSM US Slack. Each project also lists the best way to communicate with active mappers on the OSM US Slack. Changeset Comments are encouraged for communication with individual mappers.
(If there are any issues with OEG compliance, please reach out directly ASAP. This is the first time OSM US is setting up Organized Editing Activities and we want to make sure we're doing it correctly.)
Hashtag
All projects will use the #mapping-for-impact hashtag as well as project specific hashtags listed under each project above.
Timeframe
Each project will have its own unique timeframe based on project needs and scope. Large scale projects will be broken down into smaller components to encourage mapper engagement and for timely validation/data quality.
Tools and Data Sources
Each project will use specific tools and data sources, described on individual project pages.
Participants
This is a community project organized by OpenStreetMap US. As a result, there is not an exhaustive list of mappers.
Data Quality & Clean-up
Each project is closely monitored for data quality by OpenStreetMap US. The OpenStreetMap US Tasking Manager is the primary tool used for activities to allow for organized community validation. In cases where other mapping tools are required, secondary review or validation methods will be described in the project page. At the completion of each project, the OpenStreetMap US project lead conducts a third-pass validation over all project data.
Data quality is critical to both OpenStreetMap and the program partners relying on the data. At the start of each project, expectations are set with partners to ensure that data quality and validation processes are the highest priority.