The UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) YouthMappers served as resource persons in the Geog 1 (Places and Landscapes in a Changing World) Service-Learning activity last 20 December 2023. Ms. Monica Mendoza (co-mentor, UPRI YouthMappers) discussed the purpose and application of mapping, particularly OpenStreetMap (OSM), in humanitarian crises and disasters and how these maps help the community. Mr. Leonil Llagas (President, UPRI YouthMappers) presented the activities of the organization and Ms. Erika Del Rosario (Director for External Affairs) demonstrated how to map building footprints in OpenStreetMap (OSM) using iD editor, the de facto browser-based and beginner-friendly OSM editor.
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is an open-source software and geographic database for mapping maintained by a community of volunteers through active engagement and community participation. OSM can provide flexible and real-time data through continuous contribution of volunteer mappers, and unlike commercially available maps, data from OSM is free to use. Using OSM is also easy, compared to other geospatial tools that require technical skills and knowledge. Mapping building footprints is one of the ways to contribute in OSM. Building footprints can be used in producing risk maps for disaster risk planning and mitigation, disaster response, assessing damages from disasters, and disaster recovery and rehabilitation.
The UPRI YouthMappers is a student organization launched under the UP Resilience Institute and the 2nd local chapter of the YouthMappers Network in the Philippines. YouthMappers is an international consortium of organizations dedicated to Mapping for Resilience. Since its launch in 2018, the organization conducted collaborative activities to spread data awareness, promote the youth mapping community, and strengthen disaster resilience through mapping.
Posted by UP Resilience Institute Education on January 24, 2024