The Excitement Begins

When I first received the email confirming my scholarship to attend State of the Map Asia 2024 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, I was overjoyed. It was my first international travel experience, and to make it even more special, it was my first time attending a State of the Map conference. The excitement was real, but so were the nerves. The initial thrill was soon followed by a whirlwind of preparations—official paperwork, visa applications, currency exchanges, and everything in between. At one point, I found myself wondering how I would manage this journey to a faraway country where I didn’t know anyone. But those thoughts soon eased when I knew that some of my friends would be traveling with me. Knowing I wouldn’t be alone made me feel calmer and even more excited for the adventure ahead.

The Journey

The trip to Bangladesh and the onward journey to Cox’s Bazar were incredible, thanks to the warm hospitality of our Bangladeshi friends. They ensured that everything went smoothly, making the entire experience comfortable and enjoyable. Cox’s Bazar was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Coming from a landlocked country, getting a close view of the sea for the first time was simply mesmerizing. The beaches stretched endlessly, and the beauty of the waves crashing against the shore left me in awe. Exploring the city and visiting tourist attractions added an unforgettable charm to my trip.

The Conference Experience

The State of the Map Asia 2024 conference was everything I had hoped for and more. The sessions were packed with valuable insights, showcasing the diverse ways OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is being used across Asia. I attended presentations that highlighted innovative projects from the private sector, government, and civil society, and learned about real-world applications of OSM in humanitarian efforts and disaster risk reduction. The attendees were of every age group from students to experts.

The conference also featured hands-on workshops, which were a major highlight for me. I participated in sessions on web maps and UAV data processing, gaining practical skills that I’m excited to apply in my future work. One of the most memorable moments was when I got the opportunity to moderate a session—a completely new and enriching experience that boosted my confidence and expanded my skills.

Sharing My Story

One of the most fulfilling moments of the event was sharing my journey with OSM. During my presentation, I talked about how OSM provided me with the opportunities that helped me hone my skills and also shared how we at the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) are leveraging OSM data for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projects. It felt rewarding to showcase how mapping can make communities safer and more resilient to disasters. Connecting with like-minded individuals who appreciated our work was deeply satisfying. Sharing my story not only gave me a sense of pride but also motivated me to continue working towards impactful solutions through open mapping.

Building Connections

This event wasn’t just about learning; it was about meeting people. I finally got to meet individuals I had only interacted with online before—fellow mappers, mentors, and collaborators. Seeing them in person and having meaningful conversations felt surreal. It reminded me of the strength of the open mapping community and how interconnected we all are, even from different corners of the world. The conference also recognized my contributions to OSM, which was incredibly motivating. It reinforced my commitment to open mapping and left me eager to contribute even more to this amazing community.

The Beauty of Bangladesh

Beyond the conference, exploring Cox’s Bazar was an experience I will always treasure. The breathtaking view of the sea, the long stretches of sandy beaches, and the vibrant culture of the city left me in awe. For someone who had never seen the sea before, the sight was magical.

The hospitality of the Bangladeshi people made this journey even more special. From helping us navigate the city to sharing their culture with us, their kindness made every moment memorable.

A Heartfelt Thanks

A special thanks to: Sawan Sharir, Mikko, the State of the Map Asia organizing team, Youthmappers, and the Open Mapping Hub - Asia Pacific for providing such an incredible platform and everyone involved in this process.

Moving Forward

This experience has left me deeply inspired, as the knowledge I gained, the connections I built, and the memories I created have been transformative. Attending State of the Map Asia 2024 was a significant milestone in my OSM journey, reminding me of the power of maps to unite people, solve problems, and create lasting change. I return home motivated to apply these learnings and continue making meaningful contributions to OpenStreetMap.

Cox’s Bazar, the breathtaking coastal city of Bangladesh, recently hosted the State of the Map Asia 2024 conference. For me, as an enthusiastic mapper, participating in this event was nothing short of a dream come true.

From the moment I entered the venue, I could feel the vibrant energy of the OSM community. The conference brought together passionate mappers, developers, and humanitarian workers, all united by their dedication to open geospatial data. The diversity among attendees—ranging from seasoned experts to curious newcomers—was a testament to how OSM truly belongs to everyone.

The talks, presentations, and workshops stood out as the heart of the event. Participants shared innovative ideas and showcased how OSM is addressing a wide array of societal challenges. These stories of success, coupled with best practices from various communities, highlighted the platform’s versatility and its potential for driving meaningful change.

Equally inspiring were the contributions of the sponsors, who not only supported the conference but also offered valuable insights into how OSM is applied in diverse industries. Their perspectives reinforced the idea that OSM is not just for mappers—it’s a tool for anyone aiming to understand and improve the world.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was connecting with people from across Asia. Despite being an introvert, the friendly and inclusive atmosphere encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the sense of community. Every conversation, whether formal or casual, enriched my understanding and reinforced that OSM is as much about collaboration as it is about mapping.

A highlight of the event was the Open Mapping Guru Dinner, an evening filled with meaningful interactions, shared experiences, and celebrations of the collaborative OSM spirit. It was a perfect reminder of how strong and inspiring the global OSM community truly is.

Representing YouthMappers, University of Dhaka was a proud and fulfilling moment. As the chapter president, I had the chance to showcase our initiatives, connect with like-minded individuals, and learn from others. This experience allowed me to grow further as a mapper, leader, and advocate for open data.

Beyond the conference, exploring Cox’s Bazar added an unforgettable dimension to my experience. Known for its stunning 120 km beach, the city offered a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. From the scenic views of the Bay of Bengal to the lively local markets, every moment spent there deepened my appreciation for the region’s heritage and resilience.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the State of the Map Asia 2024 organizing committee for hosting such a well-structured and inclusive event. Special thanks to Sawan Shariar and Amena Rashid Bania for inspiring me and the YouthMappersDU Chapter members to participate in the SOTMA 2024.

A sincere thank you to Mikko Tamura, Honey Grace Fombuena, and Harry Mahardhika Machmud for organizing the wonderful Open Mapping Guru Dinner. Your efforts in arranging this memorable event created an incredible space for connection, learning, and celebration.

A special thanks to my fellow YouthMappersDU members for their unwavering support and camaraderie throughout this journey. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and shared passion for open mapping made this experience even more memorable.

State of the Map Asia 2024 reminded me that mapping is more than just adding points and polygons to a map—it’s about connecting with people, solving real-world problems, and building a community. As I return to Dhaka, I’m filled with ideas to implement back home. From expanding our YouthMappers initiatives to collaborating on regional projects, the possibilities seem endless.

Charting New Paths: Insights from SotM Asia 2024

This year, I had the opportunity to attend State of the Map Asia (SotM Asia 2024) in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. While I had previously attended the SotM Global conference, SotM Asia provided a unique and inspiring experience that deepened my engagement with the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community. The conference brought together passionate mappers from all over, each contributing their expertise to solve real-world problems using geospatial data.

As a speaker at SotM Asia, I shared insights on how OSM is being used to improve accessibility to essential services, particularly for women in marginalized communities. The conversations that followed were both thought-provoking and affirming, showing how mapping can be a powerful tool for addressing gender-specific issues.

The workshops and sessions at the conference were incredibly valuable. I gained new perspectives on how emerging technologies are transforming mapping and how they can be applied to address complex challenges. These experiences inspired me to think creatively about the tools and methods I can incorporate into my own work, particularly in my ongoing projects.

Beyond the sessions and workshops, the conference was an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. From casual conversations over coffee to the camaraderie at the OM GURU dinner, I was reminded of the importance of community in the open mapping movement. The connections made here will continue to inspire and motivate me as I work on future mapping projects.

Reflecting on SotM Asia 2024, I am deeply inspired to continue my work in the OSM community and beyond. The event reaffirmed the transformative potential of mapping and reinforced my belief in its power to create a more connected, resilient world. I look forward to carrying these lessons into my ongoing work, including the WASH initiative in Birendranagar.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to thank Mikko Tamura, Honey Grace Fombuena and Harry Mahardhika Machmud for organizing the unforgettable OM GURU dinner. Their efforts provided a rare opportunity to connect with mentors and leaders who have played a pivotal role in shaping the open mapping movement.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to my teammate, Arun Kumar Bhomi, for his unwavering support and contributions to our project. His dedication and encouragement were instrumental throughout our journey.

I am profoundly grateful to Nodi, Khan Mohammad Ibtehal, and Azhar. Their kindness, generosity, and unwavering support went above and beyond, making my time in Bangladesh unforgettable. From ensuring we had everything we needed to offering their warmth and hospitality, they truly made us feel at home. Their care and attention to every detail were unmatched, and I will forever cherish their friendship and the incredible memories we shared.

Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers of SotM Asia 2024 for putting together such a well-executed and inspiring event. Their dedication and vision made this experience possible, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this remarkable gathering.

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend State of the Map (SotM) 2024, the global conference of the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community, held in the vibrant city of Nairobi, Kenya. As one of the travel grant winners, generously supported by the OpenStreetMap Foundation, this experience marked a significant milestone in my mapping journey. It was my first time at SotM, and I was beyond excited to connect with mappers, developers, and enthusiasts from across the world.

The highlight of my participation was co-presenting the topic “OSM: Spectrum” alongside my fellow mapper Pragya Pant. Together, we shared insights into the diversity of mapping practices in Nepal and the importance of inclusivity within the OSM ecosystem. It was truly empowering to showcase our work on a global platform and engage in meaningful conversations with the audience. The support and enthusiasm we received were incredibly motivating and reinforced the value of collaboration within the mapping community.

One of the most memorable aspects of the conference was meeting so many individuals I had previously interacted with online. Seeing these familiar faces in person was both surreal and heartwarming. The conference served as a bridge, turning virtual connections into tangible friendships. I had the chance to meet mentors and inspirations such as Arnalie and Benedicta whose dedication to OSM has been a source of motivation for me since I started mapping. Their passion and leadership continue to inspire me to push boundaries and contribute meaningfully to the community.

I am also immensely grateful to Mikko, whose consistent support has been instrumental in my mapping journey. Mikko brought together the OSM gurus from Asia before the conference, helping us prepare and connect even before reaching Nairobi. His efforts made a significant difference, and his encouragement continues to inspire me.

The evenings were as lively as the conference itself, and the dinner night at BaoBox was a standout moment. The laughter, dancing, and games made it a truly unforgettable experience. It was a joyous celebration of the spirit of OSM—a movement built not just on maps but also on the camaraderie and shared purpose of its contributors. I cherished the chance to interact with gurus from Asia and other regions, exchanging ideas and stories that enriched my perspective on mapping.

Looking back, SotM 2024 was much more than just a conference. It was a celebration of innovation, diversity, and community spirit. The event left me with a wealth of knowledge, new friendships, and an even stronger commitment to the transformative power of open mapping. As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons and inspiration from Nairobi, eager to contribute to OSM with renewed passion.

Acknowledgments

My heartfelt gratitude to the OpenStreetMap Foundation for the travel grant that made this journey possible. To my co-presenter Pragya Pant , thank you for sharing this milestone with me and for your invaluable contributions to our presentation. To Mikko, Arnalie, Benedicta, Mary Muthee, and everyone who made SotM 2024 special—thank you for your guidance, support, and inspiration!

Mapping My Way to Inspiration: Reflections from SotM Asia 2024

This year, I had the privilege of stepping into a world of boundless ideas and shared dreams as I attended the State of the Map Asia (SotM Asia 2024) in Bangladesh. It was my first time at this prestigious conference, and the experience was more transformative than what I had thought. From the moment I arrived, I could sense the synergy of brilliant minds united by their passion for open mapping and the power of geospatial knowledge. The conference was a melting pot of diverse contributors—youthful innovators with fresh ideas and seasoned leaders whose enduring dedication has shaped the open mapping movement. It was heartening to see how this collective energy is driving solutions for challenges like disaster management and sustainable development. Conversations with participants revealed the exciting role startups are playing, leveraging OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to revolutionize industries and create meaningful societal impact.

As I stood there representing the YouthMappers community, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. My tenure as Vice President of the YouthMappers chapter in 2022-23 had been a defining period, filled with opportunities to lead projects that empowered communities and fostered collaboration on a global scale. Now, as an alumnus, I was honored to showcase the results of our collective efforts. It was a reminder of the transformative power of teamwork and the potential of mapping to change lives.

The workshops at the conference were eye-opening to perceive open mapping from different perspective. Sessions on web mapping and discussions about integrating artificial intelligence with OSM for disaster management expanded my understanding of technology’s role in open mapping. I was particularly fascinated by the innovative use of GIS and UAVs to tackle challenges like urban planning and climate resilience. These hands-on experiences ignited a new passion within me to bring these tools into practical applications.

Winning the prestigious OSM Mapper of the Year 2024 award was an unforgettable moment. It was a recognition of dedication and perseverance, not just my own, but also of the supportive communities and mentors who have guided me along the way. This honor reminded me of the values I hold dear—openness, collaboration, and a commitment to driving meaningful change. The conference wasn’t all work and no play. There were moments of joy and connection—group photos, casual conversations over coffee, and the camaraderie of the OSM Guru dinner. These interactions reminded me of the human side of this global initiative, the friendships, and shared purpose that bind us all in this movement.

As I look back on my journey at SotM Asia 2024, I feel more inspired than ever. The event was not just a gathering of mapping enthusiasts but a celebration of innovation and community spirit. It reinforced my belief in the transformative potential of open mapping and gave me the tools and motivation to bring these insights into my work.

The future of mapping is bright, and I am thrilled to be part of a movement that is shaping a better, more connected world.

Acknowledgment

Attending SotM Asia 2024 would not have been as enriching without the incredible people I had the privilege of meeting in Bangladesh. First and foremost, my heartfelt thanks go to Amena Rashid Bania, whose unwavering support and encouragement throughout the conference and my days in Bangladesh were truly inspiring. Her motivation and kindness made this experience unforgettable, and I will always cherish the moment she called my name for the award.

I am deeply grateful to Mikko Tamura, Honey Grace Fombuena, and Harry Mahardhika Machmud for organizing the memorable OM GURU dinner. It was a rare and special opportunity to connect with mentors and leaders who have shaped the open mapping movement.

Lastly, I want to express my appreciation to the wonderful individuals who took such good care of us during our stay in Bangladesh. Their hospitality, warmth, and efforts ensured that our time there was comfortable and meaningful. To everyone who contributed to this incredible journey, thank you for making SotM Asia 2024 an experience I will treasure forever.

Hallo zusammen,

wie Ihr sicherlich wisst, kann es bei einer Way-ID häufig vorkommen, dass mehrere parking:restrictions vorkommen. Bisher habe ich immer die Information erhalten, dass eine präzise Zuordnung nur möglich ist, indem die Way-ID in mehrere Segmente aufgeteilt wird.

Ich bin auf diesen Wiki-Beitrag zum Thema “mehrere Werte für einen Key” gestoßen und frage mich, ob dieser Ansatz noch aktuell ist und in der Praxis verwendet werden kann. https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Multiple_values

In meinem ersten Versuch habe ich parking:restrictions mit mehreren Werten in einem Tag eingetragen. Dies wurde jedoch kommentiert, dass die meisten Anwendungen dies nicht unterstützen. Hier der entsprechende Kommentar: https://www.openstreetmap.org/changeset/159989249#map=19/50.114737/8.679454

Seitdem habe ich diesen Ansatz nicht mehr verwendet. Gibt es alternative Möglichkeiten, um mehrere Einschränkungen an einer Way-ID korrekt und zugleich möglichst genau zu erfassen, ohne die ID zerschneiden zu müssen?

Ich freue mich über Eure Hinweise und Ideen!

Vielen Dank und viele Grüße Simon

30 mins

✌️🧨🎃☢️⚔️🛡️😵‍💫💥

Most people these days prefer flattery to doing good. Because flattery helps people to reach their goals very quickly. And this practice is increasing day by day in open communities. Due to which, day by day, open tools are closing down without being able to keep up with time.

How many other tools are open/free related to OpenStreetMap?

If it continues like this, it will just turn into garbage one day.

Everyone will chant until his own interests are saved, after which people will leave this too.

আজকাল বেশির ভাগ মানুষ ভালোকিছু করার চেয়ে চাটুকারিতা বেশি পছন্দ করে। কারণ চাটুকারিতা মানুষকে খুব তাড়াতাড়ি তার অভীষ্ট লক্ষে পৌছাতে সাহায্য করে। আর ওপেন কমিউনিটিতে এই প্রাকটিস দিন দিন বেড়েই চলছে। যার কারণে দিন দিন ওপেন টুল গুলো সময়ের সাথে পাল্লাদিয়ে টিকে থাকতে না পেরে বন্ধ হয়ে যাচ্ছে।

ওপেন স্ট্রীট ম্যাপের আর কয়টা টুল ওপেন আছে ?

এমন চলতে থাকলে এটা শুধুই গারবেজ এ পরিনত হবে একদিন।

সবাই তার নিজ নিজ সার্থ উদ্ধার হওয়া পর্যন্ত গুনোগান করবে এর পর এটাকেও মানুষ ছেড়ে দিবে ।

** Disclaimer: I do not guarantee the accuracy of these names **

I decided to compile some OSM objects named like celebrities for fun (with up to two examples each). This time let’s focus on music artists (sorted by date of birth).

Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
* Montevideo, Uruguay
* Sint-Genesius-Rode, Belgium

John Lennon (1940-1980)
* London, UK

Freddie Mercury (1946-1991)
* Montreux, France

Madonna (1958-)
* Baltimore, US-MD
* Ardspach, Czech Republic

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
* Shekvetili, Georgia

Céline Dion (1968-)
* Laval, Canada

Jennifer Lopez (1969-)
* San Rafael, Costa Rica

Jay-Z (1969-)
* Harwich, US-MA

Eminem (1972-)
* Orléans, France

50 Cent (1975-)
* Ernakulam, India
* Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy

Shakira (1977-)
* Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Alicia Keys (1981-)
* Saint-Jean-d’Heurs, France

Beyoncé (1981-)
* London, UK

Britney Spears (1981-)
* Eagle Mountain, US-UT
* Edinburgh, UK

Lady Gaga (1986-)
* Sacramento, US-CA
* Davao City, Philippines

Rihanna (1988-)
* Cotonou, Benin
* Trondheim, Norway

Ed Sheeran (1991-)
* Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

So, about 6 weeks ago, I met someone who teaches at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa at a conference here in Ireland. This made me curious about Indianola, and I went to check it out on OSM. Anything could trigger that in me.

I found the campus fairly well mapped with most of the buildings and most of the highway=sidewalk and some trees mapped, but there was more to be done. So, I started off easy with some footpaths, trees and missing buildings, but then I got competitive and wanted to see how long it would take be to get into the list of mappers for the US of A in the OSM stats.

That took me much longer than expected, because I’m used to get onto those lists fairly easy having mapped in much smaller countries with far fewer active mappers. But after about two weeks (I don’t remember exactly), I was in the Top 500. Yee-haw!

As of this morning, I was #160 which is not so bad, considering I “had to” hold my #1 in Ireland and stay in the Top 20 in the UK.

I ended up mapping just over 5,000 buildings. I had gotten tired of it and wanted to quit, but I thought I should at least reach the 5,000.

I also mapped a couple of (well, 775) trees. I was actually surprised how many trees there were and how many seemingly mature ones at that.

I hadn’t mapped (much) in the USA before, but what struck me most was probably the number of church buildings, partly because that conference which started it had to do with religion and religious persecution. Some of their locations need to be fixed, by the way. I found nodes for churches in the middle of nowhere which need to be moved to the actual building.

But now I’m kinda tired of grid like street systems and will again focus solely on the Emerald Isle.

Here I go again…. part 2.

I was pleased to see someone pick up on my first diary item. OSM weekly is hardly the New York Times, yet I know that the editors like posts which are constructively critical, and they did spot that I was hoping for something to happen which would let us all “do better”.

I decided to look in more detail at how the lack of detail was leaving validators with a lot of mapping to do. Evidence of this is seen here, where the mapper marking the tile as “completely mapped” is nowhere near being the main contributor of objects and the validator – DeBigC – has add or adjust 62% of the objects in the tile. This shows the last mapper to touch any object. Note: I do accept that this is one tile, but it’s not unusual to find this all over the Fingal task.

There is an age-old idea that validators are “second mappers”, who mop up the unnoticed details that mappers leave behind. There have to be limits to that, and there usually are. I have seen in HOTOSM activations where validation standards of completeness are quite strict and fussy with any more than a handful of missed objects getting a do-over request. That was never the intent with #osmIRL. That said the validator mapping more than the person marking the tile as done is the hallmark of needing to signal the tile cannot be validated.

The most useful tool for measuring how much is being left behind is the Heigit dashboard. Right here a query on the Fingal area from a date proximate to the last tile being marked as done yields up the size of this gap. The baseline before validation started on December 18th 2023 was 110k buildings, and up to November 10th 2024 this had risen to 118k. In context this is an extra 8k buildings, meaning 7.5% of the intended task objects were missed by mappers. On the face of it a 92.5% completeness rate would seem good, but then this relies on several factors, which I will set out here now and state that I may reveal some deeper problems.

The fact that many of the heavily developed and dense urban areas are unvalidated as of today’s date then this must mean that the 7.5% missing rate is going to increase significantly.

But this is far from the only issue to be revealed as validation continues. I have observed that tasks that are incomplete are being validated. And because a small number of mappers were involved that this issue was repeated and replicated.

• Some mappers validated their own tasks. This is literally a case of the blind validating for the blind. A mapper doesn’t see, cannot recognise or has misinterpreted the task instructions they are going to simply compound their error via error cosanguinity.

• Some mappers and validators had a common mis-interpretation of the tasks. This is literally the problem of group-think, assuming that the mapper’s take is correct, or not having the experience to assert that the mapping needed to be re-done.

On the basis of these last two points I am positing that a 92.5% completion rate is optimistic. I will post again demonstrating proof of the issue with validators.

As a friend and I were adding the 57th tag to a climbing gym in Belgium, I wondered what the element with the highest tag count is. I couldn’t find such stats (which may be a good thing), so I downloaded belgium-latest.osm.pbf from Geofabrik and wrote a simple Python script that uses Pyosmium to do some counting for me.

Without further ado: the Belgian record for highest tag count is… the relation for Belgium itself actually, which currently has 491 tags. The non-relation with the highest tag count is, boringly, the node for Belgium, with 288 tags. Next up are Brussels (156 tags), the Council of the European Union (79 tags), one particular section of the River Meuse that somehow got its name mapped in 57 different languages (65 tags) and the Irish embassy (also 65 tags). Next up is the first element that has a lot of tags not because it’s just flooded with languages! This maritime beacon north of Antwerp in the River Scheldt has a respectable 63 tags to describe all its lights. Our climbing gym is not far off from this one, and has a lot more diverse information in its tags I’d say.

I noticed that the relation for Belgium also has a high version number, it’s at its 1043th revision. That prompted me to take a look at version numbers too. But 1043 isn’t even close to our record, which goes to the superroute relation for the E40 (version 3141). Granted, that’s international. The version record for a purely Belgian object is the hiking route GR 126 (version 1103) from Brussels to Membre-sur-Semois. Just like with tag counts, I find it more interesting to look at non-relations here, though. There the honour for highest version goes to one of the outer rings of a farmland multipolygon south of Mons, which is at version 277. Funnily enough, in contrast with its senior version number, it almost has no tags to speak of, only a source!

And should I even say… If you’re now inclined to go add tags or bump versions just for the sake of it, don’t. If I ever do a follow up on these stats and see that you’ve done this anyway, I will flat out ignore your object in future reports (yes!) and generally be very cross with you.

Lougouma round

I created this for my own use, but am sharing it here because it might be useful to other people too. This is the style and there’s a brief readme.

It uses different colours to highlight different map layers. It’s not supposed to look nice; just to show you what is there.

I believe that everything described in the schema is included. If a feature does not appear it might be because:

• it’s not in the Shortbread schema.
• it’s in the schema, but is for some reason missing from the OSMF vector tiles.
• it’s in the tiles, but there’s a bug in this style.

There are lots of features in the first category, and there seem to be a couple in the second. If anyone finds anything in the third category please let me know!

Últimas contribuciones

¡Ya la vereda Cascajo Abajo se encuentra totalmente mapeada!

He tardado un montón de días mapeando esta vereda, en parte porque hubo semanas en las que no cointribuí al mapa, y porque es una vereda considerablemente grande.

Consideraciones

He estado pensando en la posibilidad de usar DAMN para seguir con el proyecto de mapeo de Marinilla. Aunque la infraestructura del Tasking Manager de HOT es muy conveniente, y la Comunidad OSM Colombia ha sido lo suficientemente amable conmigo como para dejarme alojar este proyecto en el grupo de Colombia, considero que sería apropiado migrar a una alternativa “individual” de mapeo organizado. Aún no estoy muy familiarizado con la herramienta, y valdría la pena empezar a hacer pruebas. Por el momento, la próxima vereda (La Esperanza) se va a montar en los próximos días en el Tasking Manager. Espero que para la vereda número 4 o 5 ya pueda migrar a DAMN, si lo considero viable.

Sostenibilidad

Creo que el proyecto, tal como se ha venido desarrollando, es un poco insostenible. Uno de los elementos principales de OSM es la posibilidad de trabajar en comunidad. Por ahora, esto ha sido un esfuerzo primordialmente individual, y no me gustaría que se mantenga así por mucho tiempo. Por varias razones: * No es humanamente posible (por lo menos en un tiempo razonable) mapear todo el municipio por mi cuenta. * Me gustaría poder convocar a la comunidad de Marinilla y de otras partes del país para que ayuden a tener mapas urbanos y rurales consolidados.

He pensado en la posibilidad de hablar de OSM en las instituciones educativas de Marinilla, y así poder ganar contribuidores de la región. También he considerado la posibilidad de agregar un poco más de información a las veredas que ya han sido mapeadas y hacer un trabajo con las Juntas de Acción Comunal para que tengan acceso al mapa y que, por medio de esta experiencia (en caso de que sea favorable), se pueda replicar en otras veredas y darle impulso al proyecto, bien sea incluyendo más personas que mapeen o que se generen algunos incentivos para continuar con más intensidad. Por el momento, será un trabajo lento, pero constante.

Siguiente paso

Antes de seguir con La Esperanza, me tomaré un tiempo para incluir todas las Sedes Educativas en zona urbana y en zona rural. Demarcando tanto los puntos como los terrenos que hacen parte de la sede.

Como lo dije anteriormente, la siguiente vereda es La Esperanza.

Espero que la próxima actualización no tarde mucho en llegar.

¡A mapear!

هل من رار

In dipalpur okara Punjab Pakistan

Una crónica inspirada en la hazaña del Dr. Diego Rosselli y la potencia de OpenStreetMap

En las entrañas de la geografía colombiana, donde los mapas a menudo se revelan como bosquejos incompletos, este médico neurólogo emprendió una odisea sin precedentes. El Dr. Diego Rosselli, armado con su espíritu aventurero y sus dos Land Rover (El tinieblo y el caricare), se propuso recorrer cada municipio de Colombia. Durante 20 años, este incansable explorador recorrió 1.105 municipios, trazando una ruta que lo convirtió en el primero colombiano en lograrlo y convertirlo en un referente del turismo y la geografía nacional.

Lo que hace aún más fascinante esta travesía es la herramienta que el Dr. Rosselli utilizó para orientar su viaje en varias oportunidades, OpenStreetMap (OSM). Este proyecto de mapeo colaborativo, permite a cualquier persona crear, editar y consultar mapas digitales, que se convirtió en el copiloto invaluable del médico en su recorrido por los caminos menos transitados de Colombia.

OpenStreetMap: Más que un mapa, un compañero de viaje

A diferencia de los mapas convencionales, OSM ofrece una flexibilidad y precisión incomparables. El Dr. Rosselli pudo encontrar vías carreteables y trochas que no estaban registradas en otros visores web, lo que le permitió acceder a lugares remotos y descubrir la riqueza cultural y natural de Colombia.

“Openstreetmap casi siempre supera a otros servicios”, afirma el Dr. Rosselli. Gracias a esta herramienta, logro encontrar rutas alternativas, evitar peligros y descubrir paisajes que nunca se imaginó.

La capacidad de OSM para ser actualizado en tiempo real por cualquier usuario fue fundamental. Al encontrar errores o información faltante en los mapas, los voluntarios pueden realizar las correcciones necesarias y compartirlas con la comunidad OSM. De esta manera, no solo se benefició de la información de otros, sino que también contribuyó a mejorar los mapas.

Un legado para Colombia y el mundo

La travesía del Dr. Rosselli es mucho más que una aventura personal. Al documentar su viaje en su libro Pueblos y ciudades de Colombia y compartir sus recorridos a traves de X e Instagram , está dejando un legado invaluable para Colombia y para el mundo. Sus recorridos detallados y precisos pueden llegar a ser una herramienta fundamental para el desarrollo de las regiones más remotas del país, facilitando el acceso a servicios básicos como salud, educación y transporte.

Además, la iniciativa del Dr. Rosselli ha inspirado a otros exploradores y amantes de la geografía, en su última charla Explorando la Colombia inaccesible Este aventurero narra con detalles el viaje a los 42 municipios que no tienen conexión terrestre con el país.

El futuro de la cartografía colaborativa

La historia del Dr. Rosselli y OpenStreetMap demuestra el poder de la colaboración y la tecnología para transformar nuestra comprensión del mundo. Al permitir que cualquier persona contribuya a la creación de mapas, OSM está democratizando la cartografía y empoderando a las comunidades locales.

En un futuro cercano, es probable que veamos cada vez más iniciativas como la del Dr. Rosselli, en las que exploradores, científicos y ciudadanos comunes trabajen juntos para crear mapas más detallados y precisos de nuestro planeta. Estos mapas no solo serán útiles para la navegación y la planificación de viajes, sino que también serán fundamentales para abordar desafíos globales como el cambio climático y la conservación de la biodiversidad.

La odisea del Dr. Diego Rosselli es un recordatorio de que la exploración y la cartografía no son actividades del pasado, sino que siguen siendo relevantes y necesarias en nuestro mundo cada vez más conectado. Gracias a herramientas como OpenStreetMap, estamos descubriendo nuevos horizontes y construyendo un futuro más sostenible para todos.

Severe floods and landslides devastated Sukabumi Regency, West Java, after two days of intense rainfall, with over 100 mm of rain falling in a short period, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). On Wednesday, December 4, the overflow of the Cikaso and Cibening Rivers inundated numerous areas, displacing residents and severing access roads. The hardest-hit areas included Palabuhanratu, Sagaranten, and Pabuaran. Floodwaters reached heights of 80–90 cm, submerging homes and halting transportation.

In Sagaranten, neighborhoods like Kampung Rangcabungur faced dramatic rescue operations as narrow alleys flooded waist-deep. Rescue teams, battling strong currents, evacuated several infants and their mothers. “We successfully rescued two to three babies. It was a tense process, but thankfully, everyone was saved,” said the Head of the Sukabumi Police’s Samapta Unit.

Flooding impacted at least 27 villages across 20 districts, with seven districts, including Ciemas and Gegerbitung, reporting widespread inundation. Landslides struck 14 locations, particularly in Simpenan, Warungkiara, and Palabuhanratu, while soil movements were reported in Cikembar and Bantargadung. The collapse of a 12-meter-long bridge on the Loji-Puncak Darma road added to the region’s challenges.

In Kampung Parungseah, Desa Curugluhur, and neighboring areas, the Cikaso River’s overflow swept away vehicles and flooded dozens of homes. Officials from the Sukabumi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) identified six districts as flood zones and seven districts as landslide hotspots.

Emergency response teams, including 61 personnel from the National Police’s SAR unit, were deployed to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Local authorities have begun repairing infrastructure and monitoring weather conditions as heavy rains continue to threaten the region.

Upon learning about this news, I used OSM_PANTAU! to explore the humanitarian mapping activities by the Indonesian community in the affected region.

The circles are color-coded to indicate the recency of activity: red represents more recent updates, while blue indicates older ones.