Haiti Earth Quake on Open Street Map

Above image: http://www.harrywood.co.uk/blog/2010/01/21/haiti-earthquake-on-openstreetmap/

Project Name and URL: Haiti Earth Quake on Open Street Map

http://www.harrywood.co.uk/blog/2010/01/21/haiti-earthquake-on-openstreetmap/

Location/Creator/ Author/Organization: Harry Wood/ Open Street maps

Media and how it is used: Open Street Map is an editable global mapping tool, which enables users to use a wide array of techniques to map any location in the world. Map data can be based on high-resolution satellite imagery of cities, which are initially traced over, and then GPS data and local people are taught how to survey existing streets which is then applied to the map.

The Haiti Earth Quake disaster map was created in under 48 hours due to the efforts of the Open Street Maps community, which consists of people from around the world who virtually collaborated their efforts to help the people in Haiti.

As Open Street Map is an open license map, hence it allows anybody to access and use the map information such as aid groups, rescue teams and the locals. The map can be accessed from Garmin units mobile devices, online applications, even be printed out at a large scale.

Additional local information can be added to the map due to the open tagging approach, allowing people to create special tags such as refuge camps and building damage, based on the knowledge of the locals.

Points reflecting on its success:

As the Open Street Map community is a virtual internet community, it has hte potential to grow rapidly and hence create maps of distaster zones in a very short period of time. The wide accessibility of the map in different formats is a great advantage, as it enables people to have an constantly updated map with them at times of emergency. The open tagging approach also allows users and locals to tag sites specific to the area, which responds to current context of the city.

Points possible to transfer to the Newcastle context:

The open tagging tool in Open Street Maps has the potential to allow users to tag the temporary art installations and events that occur Newcastle. As the maps are easily accessible and continuously updated, it can consistently advertise new events and installations in Newcastle to anybody who has virtual access to the map. It will also always give tourists and those passing by Newcastle the directions to stop by and have a look at the new events and installations.