The HeiGIT gGmbH (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology) recently released a new version of the Sketch Map Tool - an easy-to-use tool for participatory sketch mapping and offline data collection. Supported by ongoing collaboration with the German Red Cross and financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office, HeiGIT continually enhance the tool's capabilities to cater to a broader audience, particularly those without extensive expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The 2.0 version of the tool is designated “Juling”, as a tribute to Prof. Dr. Wilfried Juling, whose steady support and advice fundamentally shaped the growth and success of HeiGIT since its beginning.
Recognizing the pivotal role of local knowledge in addressing challenges such as disaster management and urban planning, the Sketch Map Tool offers a low-tech solution for capturing community insights on paper-based maps, known as Sketch Maps. These maps aid in identifying areas prone to natural disasters like flooding or drought, as well as in pinpointing critical infrastructure and civil facilities within vulnerable zones, and flagging vulnerable constructions. Beyond its application in humanitarian crises, the tool can facilitate the visualization of community aspirations, fostering greater engagement and collaboration.
The background
The initial development of the Sketch Map Tool prototypes began over five years ago in close cooperation between the HeiGIT and the GIScience Research Group from Heidelberg University. Originally, the tool was part of the Waterproofing data project, aimed at supporting the collection of flood risk perception in two vulnerable Brazilian communities. Subsequently, the tool underwent testing in various global contexts and projects, including deployments in Columbia, Germany, Italy, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
For instance, in Mozambique, local communities utilized the Sketch Map Tool during workshops to document flood-prone areas and regions experiencing heightened crime rates. The collected data was used in disaster risk reduction projects by the Mozambique Red Cross Society and the German Red Cross (GRC). In May 2023, the Sketch Map Tool was showcased and used during a regional training session organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This event marked a significant milestone in the tool's integration into the standard processes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement worldwide.
In the same year, the Colombian Red Cross (CRC), in collaboration with the German Red Cross and HeiGIT, tested the Sketch Map tool as part of the participatory process developed to build community resilience (Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (EVCA)). The research was conducted by Kimon Letzner as part of his master's thesis. He used the tool in group discussions and collective mapping of the area to identify community needs.
More recently, the tool has been tested as part of Claudio de Simone's PhD thesis, which focuses on the interaction between water and society in rural areas in southern Italy. He is trying to identify the impact of the Occhito dam construction. This includes, for example, finding out how community members use the area's resources. The results will then be used by policy makers to support both cultural and tourism strategies and to adapt the use of the Occhito Dam to the needs of the community.
The tool
In the new version, each Sketch Map now includes a base map with either OpenStreetMap (OSM) data or satellite images. This gives users important context and reference points. Once users mark their maps and take pictures, the tool automatically turns this information into digital data, ready to be used in Geographic Information Systems. This blend of traditional map-making and modern technology means users can make better decisions based on local knowledge.
Benefits of having both base maps depend on the area and topic being mapped. For instance, when mapping heat stress in dense urban areas, the labelling of hospitals on the OSM basemap can be as useful as the vegetation insights provided by satellite imagery. On the other hand, satellite imagery as a base map option caters to mapping activities in natural environments, enhancing the tool's utility in exploring various risk drivers such as population dynamics, land use patterns, and environmental degradation. By enabling users to uncover the intricate connections between root causes and their impacts, the Sketch Map Tool facilitates more effective disaster risk management strategies.
Moreover, the latest version of the Sketch Map Tool is technically enhanced to accurately identify marked objects. It employs advanced computer programs trained to distinguish markings from the background by analyzing patterns and features within the images. Additionally, the tool employs standard methods to ensure precise alignment of Sketch Maps with real-world locations. This is achieved by identifying and matching key points, such as prominent landmarks, across various images. However, it may encounter challenges with very dark satellite images.
Version 2.0 of the Sketch Map Tool website is now accessible in English, French, Spanish, and German, enhancing usability for non-English speakers. Moreover, our new training platform offers five exercises for exploring the tool and sketch mapping, designed for workshop settings to encourage collaborative discussion among participants (only available in English).
Outlook
Looking ahead, HeiGIT emphasizes the importance of continuous engagement with frontline responders and communities to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the Sketch Map Tool. Successful community engagement facilitates community acceptance, commitment, and ownership of a project, thereby influencing its long-term viability and ultimately defining its success.
By fostering partnerships and promoting data literacy, HeiGIT aims to empower humanitarian personnel and communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to address evolving challenges effectively. Ultimately, the goal is to create a collaborative environment where stakeholders from diverse backgrounds can contribute to and benefit from the advancement of the Sketch Map Tool.
The aim of the HeiGIT (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology) is to improve the transfer of knowledge and technology from basic geoinformatics research into practice by using innovative geoinformation technologies. It was founded in 2019 as an affiliated institute of Heidelberg University and has since then been core-funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung. The institute researches and develops intelligent routing and navigation services for sustainable mobility, provides geodata for humanitarian missions and creates actionable data analyses and tools to help achieve climate neutrality. In addition, innovative services from the research areas spatial data mining and machine learning are used to analyze, process, enrich and visualize user-generated geodata (e.g. OpenStreetMap).