JOOUST MAPATHON IN BONDO TOWN, KENYA: Mapping off-campus student housing

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Background

The Planners Association of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (PAJU) is a student association registered under the Dean of Students. It comprises students under the School of Spatial Planning and Natural Resource Management. PAJU was formed in September 2016 with the aim of bringing students together despite their different levels of study, promoting the sharing of ideas and skills to improve and build each other.

PAJU joined YouthMappers in January 2023. The chapter had a passion for being a member of the larger youth organization. Since the main activity that PAJU is engaged in is under GIS and planning, it was envisioned to be highly compatible with the organization. PAJU has the following main activities to perform each semester:

(a)  Mentorship programs for students.

(b)  Awareness campaigns.

(c)   Training and workshops.

(d)  Community projects.

Introduction

The Planners Association of Jaramogi University (PAJU) held a mapathon on Saturday, 28th and Sunday, 29th October 2023. The mapathon’s objective was to map out student accommodation in an off-campus setting and make them visible on the OpenStreetMap website for ease of access. The activity was coordinated by the Kenya Regional Ambassador, Maurine Oyugi, the Chapter Patron, Dr. Peter M. Samburu, and the Chapter Chairperson, Felix Murimi.

Figure 1: Maurine Oyugi, Dr. Peter and all members of the chapter

The Mapathon

The mapathon was officially opened by Maurine Oyugi, the YouthMappers Regional Ambassador, who took us through the importance of YouthMappers and how it has benefited various communities and chapters.

Figure 2: Maurine Oyugi, Dr. Peter and some members of the chapter

The mapathon took place using QGIS software linked with OpenStreetMap. A demonstration of the software and how the mapathon was to be performed was done by Levis Ruto. Since the objective was to map student accommodations that weren’t available online, the activity required the use of GPS coordinates. Levis Ruto proposed an idea on how to map these hostels.

Mapping Activity

The mapping was done using JOSM, QGIS software, and its Android application, QField. The mapping files were processed using QGIS software and later configured to the Android device. The hostel attributes were developed using QGIS, allowing mappers to enter various details about each hostel. These attributes included the name of the hostel, the type of hostel, and a photo of the hostel. Additionally, raster data of the area was incorporated. The satellite image (Google Satellite Image) was acquired online using QGIS (Tile Plus plugin). Once the attributes were ready, the files were configured to be editable on the Android device.

Collecting the GPS coordinates was done with the help of QField, where the mappers tracked the location of the hostels. The QField application allows mappers to track their location live and offline without using an internet connection, making the mapping activity easier and more affordable. The configured files from QGIS were displayed in the QField application.

After the mapping activity and data collection, the mapped data was imported back into QGIS software for processing. QGIS was linked to OpenStreetMap (OSM) through JOSM using the Quick OSM plugin. Once the mapped hostels were displayed in QGIS, the coordinates were copied to JOSM software, and the attributes were then edited manually, saved, and uploaded to OpenStreetMap.

Through this process, our objectives were achieved mapping the student accommodation and uploading them online in OpenStreetMap.

Fieldwork

Figure 3: chapter members before the fieldwork event

The fieldwork was scheduled to take place over the whole weekend, on Saturday, 28th and Sunday, 29th October 2023.

The first day, Saturday, 28th, started with a morning meeting to introduce YouthMappers, HOTOSM (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team), and OSM. Our patron, Dr. Peter M. Samburu, welcomed the Regional Ambassador and officially opened the session. Maurine Oyugi took the chapter through the introduction of OpenStreetMap, YouthMappers, and HOTOSM, explaining their importance and what YouthMappers are all about. Felix Murimi, the chapter leader, acted as the host, coordinating all events.

Levis Ruto, a chapter member, led a practical session on how the QGIS software and its counterpart, QField, were to be used during the mapathon. He gave the chapter a walkthrough of data collection using the QField application and demonstrated how to clean and process the data using QGIS software. He later mapped the collected information using JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor) and uploaded the final edits to OpenStreetMap.

Figure 4: Felix and Levis during the presentation

Results & Achievements

The hostels were visible on the open street map within 24 hrs. The chapter was able to map 100 student accommodations in two days that are fully occupied by the students. All these hostels had names and were mapped as hostels.

Figure 5: mapped hostels visible on the OpenStreetMap

Figure 6: mapped hostels around JOOUST using QGIS and QFIELD

The chapter appreciated the entire mapathon process by holding a team-building activity at the University. The entire process was a success and every objective of the mapathon was met accordingly.

Figure 7: Chapter members during the team building

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Peter Samburu Maluki is a lecturer at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology under the School of Spatial Planning. He holds a Masters degree in Project Planning and Management, and a Masters degree in Design for Sustainable Development from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

Levis Pkemoi Ruto is a final year student at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and technology, pursuing a career in Spatial planning and Design, in the school of Spatial Planning. He enjoys designing and creating maps that point out the role of landuse distribution and how they benefit the people. He has a passion for using ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ArchicAD, Sketchup, and CAD for designing cities and towns.

Nguu Felix Murimi is currently in his final year of study in the Spatial Planning and Design program at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. He has served as a the President of the Planners Association of JOOUST YouthMappers chapter and also the Secretary General of Student Planers Association of Kenya (SPAKe). Felix is passionate about serving as a student leader to help bring out the beast in each and every member. He uses CAD and GIS software in solving the community issues and looks forward to continuing a career in spatial planning.