How To

JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor) is a desktop application to conduct mapping activities, the data from which can be added to OpenStreetMap (OSM). It is an open-source editor, written in Java. While initially, the interface may seem daunting compared to some other editors, JOSM offers many features which are extremely useful and isn’t too difficult to master. Another major benefit of JOSM is that mapping can be done offline, unlike with other editors such as iD or Potlatch. This has been very useful when mapping Dar es Salaam as our mappers do not always…Read more

There are many data collection tools you can use to gather the information required to make maps, depending on your needs and resources. Working in Dar es Salaam, the Ramani Huria team have developed a systematic approach to collect data from a variety of sources and allowing us to have develop accurate & sophisticated maps. In this how to blog post, we will give you information about the tools we use specifically to map flood-prone wards of the city and the collection of data for flood resilience. All the data collected with these…Read more

The HOT Export tool is a tool created by Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) that allows you to create custom OpenStreetMap (OSM) exports, you can download up-to-date maps for GIS analysis or use in GPS devices and/or smartphones. The OSM data available from the tool is updated at one minute intervals so very accurate and a number of file formats are available for exporting data in, including Esri SHP, Garmin IMG, Google KMZ, OSM PBF and SQlite SQL. Some of the features include the ability to: create customized maps with tags and markerstranslate maps…Read more

Throughout the world, many people contribute to the collaborative community of OpenStreetMap. For anyone who is interested in volunteering their time to map unmapped parts of the world, OSM Tasking Manager is a great way to find projects to assist on. OSM Tasking Manager (https://tasks.hotosm.org) is a mapping tool designed and built to coordinate mapping by Humanitarian OSM Team volunteers, making it easier for mappers to work together and avoiding conflicts in areas in the process of being mapped. The purpose of the tool is to divide up a mapping job into smaller…Read more

In a new series of ‘How To’ blog posts, the Ramani Huria team explains some of the great tools and tech we use in our mapping process. This post will introduce you to Slippy Maps and the process we used to create the Ramani Huria Slippy Map using Mapbox Studio software. By the end of the post, you will be able to create your own Slippy Maps! The term Slippy Map, in general, refers to web maps which let you zoom and pan around (the map slips around when you drag the mouse)…Read more