This collection amplifies the experiences of some of the world’s young people who are working to address SDGs using geospatial technologies and multi-national collaboration. Authors from every region of the world who have emerged as leaders in the YouthMappers movement share their perspectives and knowledge in an accessible and peer-friendly format. YouthMappers are university students who create and use open mapping for development and humanitarian purposes. Their work leverages digital innovations - both geospatial platforms and communications technologies - to answer the call for leadership to address sustainability challenges.
The book conveys a sense of robust knowledge emerging from formal studies or informal academic experiences - in the first-person voices of students and recent graduates who are at the forefront of creating a new map of the world. YouthMappers use OpenStreetMap as the foundational sharing mechanism for creating data together. Authors impart the way they are learning about themselves, about each other, about the world. They are developing technology skills, and simultaneously teaching the rest of the world about the potential contributions of a highly connected generation of emerging world leaders for the SDGs. The book is timely, in that it captures a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the YouthMappers movement’s ability to share emerging expertise, and one that coincides with a pivotal moment in the geopolitical history of planet earth whose inhabitants need to hear from them.
Most volumes that cover the topic of sustainability in terms of youth development are written by non-youth authors. Moreover, most are written by non-majoritarian, entrenched academic scholars. This book instead puts forward the diverse voices of students and recent graduates in countries where YouthMappers works, all over the world. Authors cover topics that range from water, agriculture, food, to waste, education, gender, climate action and disasters from their own eyes in working with data, mapping, and humanitarian action, often working across national boundaries and across continents. To inspire readers with their insights, the chapters are mapped to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ways that connect a youth agenda to a global agenda.
This is an open access book.
Author(s): Patricia Solís, Marcela Zeballos
Series: Sustainable Development Goals Series
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 379
City: Cham
Preface
Contents
1: Introduction
1 The Emergence of YouthMappers
2 Where YouthMappers Connect to the SDGs
3 Who This Book Is For
4 The Framework
5 In Their Own Words
References
Part I: Mapping for the Goals on Poverty, Hunger, Health, Education, Gender, Water, and Energy
2: Open Data Addressing Challenges Associated with Informal Settlements in the Global South
1 Introduction
2 Urbanization in the Global South
3 Rwanda YouthMappers Chapter Experience
3.1 Activities in Kigali
3.2 Methodology
3.3 Project Results
4 Italian YouthMappers Chapter Experience
4.1 Collaborative Activities
4.2 Results, Impressions, Possible Future Activities
5 Kenyan YouthMappers Chapter Experience
5.1 Partnership with Map Kibera Trust
5.2 Joint Initiatives Between Map Kibera and YouthMappers
5.3 Methodology
5.4 Results
6 Conclusions
References
3: Leveraging Spatial Technology for Agricultural Intensification to Address Hunger in Ghana
1 Intersections of Food, Agriculture, Hunger, and Poverty
2 YouthMappers and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
3 First Engagements and a Research Method Design
4 Challenges from the Field
5 Findings from Our Work
6 Assessing Results Relative to Other Interventions
7 SDGs and Lessons Learnt
References
4: Rural Household Food Insecurity and Child Malnutrition in Northern Ghana
1 What We Need to Know About Hunger
2 Seeking Answers with YouthMappers
2.1 Locating Food Insecure and Malnourished Regions
2.2 Laying Baseline Data in Poorly Mapped Food Insecure Regions
3 Building the Case to Measure and Map Hunger
3.1 Tracking Hunger Through the SDGs
3.2 Current Indicators of Causes of Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
3.3 Going Beyond Goals and Indicators Through the Map
4 Assessing Household Food Security Status
4.1 Determining Malnutrition Status
4.2 Data Analysis
4.3 Findings
5 Conclusion
References
5: Where Is the Closest Health Clinic? YouthMappers Map Their Communities Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
1 Amid a Global Health Crisis
2 Community Resources in Dutchess County, New York
2.1 Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley Mappers
2.2 Immediate GIS Response
2.3 Longer-Term GIS Support to the Community
2.4 Local Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities
2.5 Challenges and Opportunities for Open Mapping from a Youth Perspective
3 Health Facilities in Saint-Louis, Senegal
3.1 Gaston Berger University YouthMappers
3.2 Mobilizing to Collect Health Asset Data in Saint-Louis
3.3 Validating Data to Identify User Stories
4 Social Impact of Data in a Pandemic for the SDGs
References
6: Cross-Continental YouthMappers Action to Fight Schistosomiasis Transmission in Senegal
1 The Complex Transmission Cycle of Schistosomiasis
2 Data Collection to Fight Transmission
2.1 Mapping the Habitat of Snails
2.2 Mapping the Habitat of Humans
3 Results of a Cross-Continental Effort
3.1 Insights from Drone Mapping
3.2 Insights from OSM Mapping
4 Conclusions for Joint Youth Action on SDGs
References
7: Understanding YouthMappers’ Contributions to Building Resilient Communities in Asia
1 Footprints of Youth and Open Data in Asia
2 Generation of Open Spatial Data in Asia
3 Resilience and the Sustainable Development Goals
4 Chapter Contributions in Response to COVID-19
4.1 Mapping Health Facilities
4.2 Mapping Essential Services
4.3 Mapping Residential Households
5 Chapter Contributions in Response to Climate Change
6 Digital Innovation During a Pandemic
7 Future Outlook, Collaboration, and Engagement
References
8: Activating Education for Sustainable Development Goals Through YouthMappers
1 What Does Education for SDGs Mean? Setting the Stage
2 YouthMappers Among a Generation of “Solutionaries”
2.1 The Spirit of Solutionaries at the University of Dhaka
2.2 The Spirit of Solutionaries at the State University of New York at Fredonia
3 Recasting Science Education for Human Solutionaries
4 Tying It All Together
References
9: Seeing the World Through Maps: An Inclusive and Youth-Oriented Approach
1 Maps and Their Makers Often Exclude Women’s Perspectives
2 Missing Data → Missing Representation → Missing Societal Development
3 Bridging the Gender Gap Through Everywhere She Maps
3.1 Professional Development and Internship Matching
3.2 Mapping Campaigns for Gender Equality
3.3 Women in Technology Leadership Fellowship
3.4 Regional Ambassadors
4 Breaking Stereotypes: Mapping Modi Gaupalika
4.1 Impact on the Community
5 Achievements
6 Women in the Spotlight: Hearing from the Ones Leading the Chapters
7 Engaging Future Generations of Women Mappers
References
10: Youth Engagement and the Water–Energy–Land Nexus in Costa Rica
1 Linking SDGs with a Nexus Framework
1.1 Water, Energy, and Land
1.2 The Birris and Paez Basins
1.3 Land-Use Distribution and Resource Management Context
1.4 A Stakeholder Governance System Re-imagined by Youth
1.5 The Role of Local Water Associations
2 Methodology
2.1 Local Governance
2.2 Open-Source and Geodata Applications
3 Putting the Methodology in Place
3.1 Geophysical and Spatial Modeling Interpretation
3.2 Nexus Application
4 Discussion of Strengths and Challenges
References
11: Power Grid Mapping in West Africa
1 The Status of Power Access in West Africa
2 Geospatial Solutions for Power Access
2.1 Trajectory of YouthMappers in Sierra Leone
2.2 Disruption of a Pandemic Drives Innovation
2.3 Stitching Together Open Tools to Innovate Fieldwork
3 Local Fieldwork Implementation with YouthMappers
3.1 Capacity Assessment and First-Pass Remote Mapping
3.2 Field Mapping and Ground Truthing
3.3 Setting Up and Deploying Mapping Teams per Location
3.4 Authorization and Identification
3.5 Field Mapping and Monitoring
3.6 Second Remote Mapping
3.7 Summary of Output Metrics and Mapping Outcomes
4 Beyond the Map: Powerful Mapping for the SDGs
4.1 Affordable and Clean Energy
4.2 Build Resilient Infrastructure and Foster Innovation
5 Challenges and Recommendations
References
12: Mapping Access to Electricity in Urban and Rural Nigeria
12.1 Interrupted, Unstable Electricity Access Across Nigeria
12.2 Geospatial Solutions for Electricity Provision and Management
12.2.1 Trajectory of YouthMappers in Nigeria
12.2.2 Disruption of Power Sparks Action Toward SDGs
12.2.3 Geospatial Knowledge Needed to Understand Electricity Access
12.3 Geospatial Data Implementation Projects with YouthMappers
12.3.1 Remote Mapping Results
12.3.2 Field Mapping Results
12.3.3 Mapping Challenges
12.4 Beyond Making a Map: Mappers for the SDGs
References
Part II: Youth Action on Work, Leadership, Innovation, Inequality, Cities, Production and Land
13: Stories from Students Building Sustainability Through Transfer of Leadership
1 Where the Cycle Began
2 YouthMappers in Nepal
2.1 Designing Student-Centered Activities
2.2 Adaptability During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
2.3 Valuable Collaborations Happen Locally
3 Prioritizing Chapter Sustainability
4 Future Outlook for Us and for the SDGs
References
14: Drones for Good: Mapping Out the SDGs Using Innovative Technology in Malawi
1 Evolution of an Innovation
2 Drones to Promote Inclusion, Empower Youth and Foster Innovation
2.1 Youth and Drones
2.2 An Innovation Region
3 Drones to Promote Good Health and Well-Being
3.1 Dzaleka Mapping Project
3.2 UAV Imagery Giving an Essential Perspective
3.3 Collaborations, Youth and Community Involvement
4 Drones for Innovation in Health Prevention Efforts
4.1 Novel Technology to Control Malaria
4.2 Mosquito Breeding Sites in Kasungu
4.3 Pre-flight Preparation
4.4 Data Collection
4.5 Working Through Challenges
5 Reflecting on the Potential of Drones for SDGs in the Hands of Youth
References
15: Assessing YouthMappers Contributions to the Generation of Open Geospatial Data in Africa
1 The Landscape of Youth and Open Data in Africa
2 Generation of Open Spatial Data in Africa
3 Implications for the Sustainable Development Goals
3.1 On SDG 10: “We Don’t Just Build Maps” That Bridge the Digital Divide
3.2 On SDG 8: “We Also Build Mappers” with Geospatial Skills
4 Challenges and Opportunities
5 Imagining Africa’s Tomorrow, Today
References
16: Mapping Invisible and Inaccessible Areas of Brazilian Cities to Reduce Inequalities
1 A Scenario of Digital Inequality
2 YouthMappers at the Federal University of Paraná
3 Systematized Collaborative Mapping
4 Mapping Favelas
4.1 Ensuring Quality in Data Collection
4.2 Open Tools and Best Practices
5 Accessibility in Brazil
5.1 Contributing Accessibility Data to OSM
5.2 Contributing Concepts to the OSM Data Model
6 Final Considerations
References
17: Visualizing YouthMappers’ Contributions to Environmental Resilience in Latin America
1 A Picture of Youth and Open Data in Latin America
2 Generation of Open Spatial Data for Resilience
3 Cases for Environmental Resilience in Latin America
3.1 Mapping a Hidden Paradise During a Pandemic
3.2 Kuna Nega, a Community Living Amidst Pollution
3.3 Mapping ‘Where Life Is Born’
3.4 Ecological Zoning for Conservation and Sustainability
3.5 Mapping Trees and Palms Around Old Panama Historic Monument
3.6 Smart Campus as a Model of Resilient Inclusive Innovation
4 Towards an Equitable Resilient Future
References
Part III: Marking a Path to Goals on Sustainable Communities, Consumption, Climate, Oceans, Land, and Justice
18: Youth Engagement and Participation in Mitigating Perennial Flooding in Kampala, Uganda Using Open Geospatial Data
1 Rural to Urban Migration in Africa
2 Urban Flood Mapping of Informal Settlements
2.1 Bwaise and Kalerwe Communities
2.2 Pre-fieldwork Preparations
2.3 Data Collection
2.4 Community Mapping Results
3 Lessons from Fieldwork in Informal Settlements
3.1 Flood Risk from Waste Disposal in Kampala District
3.2 Mitigating Perennial Flooding Using Open-Source Geospatial Data
3.3 Mapping with Local Residents of Informal Settlements
4 Toward Informing SDG 11 Through Flood Mapping
References
19: Sustainable Mobility Through Knowledge Exchange and Collaborative Mapping of Cycling Infrastructure: SIGenBici in Medellín, Colombia
1 Sustainable Transportation and Open Mapping for SDGs
2 Context of Cycling in Medellín
3 Open Mapping Methods and Activities
3.1 Remote Data Collection
3.2 Socio-spatial Survey of Cyclists
3.3 Thematic Mapping and Data Analysis
3.4 Essential Participation of the Community as Researcher
4 Main Findings of Cycling Infrastructure
5 Reflections About Cycling and Participatory Planning
References
20: Wastesites.io: Mapping Solid Waste to Meet Sustainable Development Goals
1 The State of the Trash Problem
1.1 Missing Location Data for Waste Site Management
1.2 The Open Spatial Data Opportunity
2 Case Studies of Mapping Solid Waste
2.1 YouthMappers in Nairobi, Kenya
2.2 YouthMappers in Lusaka, Zambia
2.3 YouthMappers in Akure, Nigeria
3 Wastesites.io: A Solution for the Global Goals
References
21: Mapping for Resilience: Extreme Heat Deaths and Mobile Homes in Arizona
1 Local Impacts from a Global Problem
2 YouthMappers Making Vulnerability Visible on the Map
2.1 Extreme Heat Deaths
2.2 Mapping the Pattern Beyond Indicators
2.3 Gathering Data on Unseen Climate Vulnerable Locations
2.4 Labeling Attributes – The Challenge of a Novel Housing Type
2.5 Results of Data Collection Campaigns
3 Community Implementation with YouthMappers
3.1 Global Partners, Local Stakeholders, and Mobile Home Residents
3.2 Toward Heat Resilient Solutions
3.3 SDGs as Link from Global to Local Climate Action for Health
References
22: Mapping for Women’s Evacuation Plans During Climate-Induced Disasters
1 Youth and Women Affected by Climate-Induced Disasters
2 Present Scenario of Climate Change in Bangladesh
2.1 Impact of Climate Change-Induced Disasters on the Coastal Area of Bangladesh
2.2 Gendered Impacts of Climate Change
2.3 Role of Gender in Emergency Response and Evacuation Planning During Cyclones
3 Voices of Women and Men Facing Climate-Induced Disasters
4 Integration of Open Data and Youth Participation in Emergency Response Management Through YouthMappers
4.1 YouthMappers and OSM
4.2 Climate Change Education and Emergency Response Awareness
4.3 Youth Advocating Climate Action That Inspires Us
5 Conclusion
References
23: Sustainable Development in Asia Pacific and the Role of Mapping for Women
1 Women’s Sustainable Development in the Asia Pacific Region
2 The Gender Gap in Mobility
3 Key Findings and Analysis
3.1 Transportation Access and Mobility for Household Essentials
3.2 Transportation Access and Mobility for Healthcare Services
3.3 Transportation Access and Mobility for Livelihood and Microenterprise Purposes
3.4 Transportation Access and Mobility for Education
3.5 Safety and Security
3.6 Well-Being
4 Lessons Learned
4.1 Transportation Access and Mobility for Household Essentials
4.2 Transportation Access and Mobility for Health Care Services
4.3 Transportation Access and Mobility for Education
4.4 Transportation Access and Mobility for Livelihoods
4.5 Safety and Security Issues
4.6 Gender-Based Violence Issues
References
24: Sustainable Coastal Communities in the Anthropocene: Lessons from Crowd-Mapping Projects in Colombia
1 Coastal Communities and SDGs
2 Anthropocene, Socioecological Systems, and Connectivity
3 YouthMappers in the Anthropocene
3.1 The Coastmap Project
3.2 A Participatory Approach to Mapping Coastal Communities
3.3 Phased Methodological Processes with Community Participation
4 Anthromes
5 Rethinking SDGs 14 and 13 for the Coastal Anthropocene
References
25: Collaborative Cartography Making Riparian Communities Visible in Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil
1 Introduction
2 Invisible Communities
3 Increased Visibility Through Collaborative Mapping
3.1 Methodology
3.2 Discussion
4 Riparian Communities Seen on the Map for SDGs
References
26: Open Mapping with Official Cartographies in the Americas
1 The Case for Open Spatial Data in Public Institutions
1.1 How Do Governmental Institutions Benefit?
1.2 Where and Why the Americas?
1.3 Why and How to Engage YouthMappers?
2 A Summary of Six Case Studies
2.1 Belize and Jamaica
2.2 Colombia
2.3 Costa Rica
2.4 Dominican Republic
2.5 Mexico
2.6 Panama
3 Challenges and Recommendations
References
27: Cities of the Future Need to Be Both Smart and Just: How We Think Open Mapping Can Help
1 The Scope of the Challenge
2 OSM for Urban Governance
3 Role of Youth Towards Achieving Positive Urban Governance
4 YouthMappers Smart, Just Activities in Uganda
4.1 Flood-Risk Mapping in Ggaba
4.2 Project Model
4.3 Remote Mapping
4.4 Data Collection
4.5 Drone Imagery and Validation
4.6 Results and Achievements
5 YouthMappers Smart, Just Activities in Ghana
5.1 Accra City Mapping (Open Cities Project)
5.2 OSM Approach
5.3 Results and Achievements
6 Smart and Just Cities of the Future
References
Part IV: Supporting YouthMappers to Advance the SDGs Through Institutions and Partnerships
28: Mentoring Experiences in YouthMappers Chapters
1 The Role of Mentorship for a Student-Led Framework
2 Experiences from the PoliMappers, Italy: Advancing Curriculum and Interdisciplinary Innovation to Benefit Students
3 Experiences from the YouthMappers UP, Panama: Local Sector and Regional Partnerships Supporting Student Success
4 Experiences from the YouthMappers Chapter in Pretoria, South Africa: Generating a Social Circle of Peers and Pipelines
5 Experiences from a YouthMappers Chapter in a Two-Year Institution in the USA: Turnover Mentoring and Alumni Leverage
6 Experiences from YouthMappers in Uganda: A Multifaceted, Multinational, and Multidisciplinary Mentor Approach
7 Conclusion
References
29: The Ecosystem Where YouthMappers Live and Thrive
1 The Structure of a Partnership Ecosystem
1.1 University Chapter Network and Regional Ambassador System
1.2 Student, Alumni, and Staff Perspectives
1.3 Connective Tissue for YouthMappers
2 Components of the Ecosystem: Sponsors and Partners
2.1 The American Geographical Society
2.2 Mapillary
2.3 TeachOSM
2.4 Locana
2.5 Mapbox
3 Partners Ecosystem for the Implementation of SDGs 17 and 8
References
30: A Free and Open Map of the Entire World: Opportunities for YouthMappers Within the Unusual Partnership Model of OpenStreetMap
1 The Unusual Model of OpenStreetMap
2 The OSM and YouthMappers Journey
2.1 The Origins of OpenStreetMap
2.2 Expansion of OSM User-Creator Communities
2.3 A Stage Set for the Emergence of YouthMappers
3 Present Innovative Patterns of Collaboration
3.1 The Innovative Model from Individuals to Groups
3.2 Disruption as a Component of Innovation
3.3 Efforts Off the Map
3.4 Communication Channels for a Multicultural Movement
4 Recommendations for New Innovations Within the OSM + YouthMappers Communities
4.1 Stronger Connections to Civic and Open Communities
4.2 OSM Contributions to Locally Defined Priorities of the SDGs
4.3 Deeper Links to Corporate Social Impact
5 Looking Ahead
References
31: Youth and Humanitarian Action: Open Mapping Partnerships for Disaster Response and the SDGs
1 The Need for Digital Mapping in Humanitarian Response
2 Early Precedents for Student Engagement in “Crisis” Mapping
3 HOT Partnerships Engaging YouthMappers Students
3.1 Data to Inform Both Humanitarian Action and the SDGs
3.2 Relationships to Enhance Citizen Generated Data in Vulnerable Places
4 Cases of HOT Partnerships Engaging YouthMappers Students
4.1 Indonesia: Supporting Disaster Risk Management and Contingency Planning
4.2 Tanzania: Flood Resilience Through Open Map Data
4.3 Malaria Elimination Mapping Campaign
4.4 Peru: Collaboration Among Government, Academia, and the Regional Group of Earth Observations (AmeriGEO)
5 Looking Forward: Youth Leading on Sustainable Action in Their Communities Towards the SDGs
References
Part V: The Paths Ahead
32: Generation 2030: The Strategic Imperative of Youth Civic and Political Engagement
1 The State of Youth Engagement
2 Six Troubling Trends in Youth Engagement
2.1 Lost Confidence in Democracy
2.2 Stepping Back from Political Engagement
2.3 Influences Shifting on Trust and Opinions
2.4 Absent from Decision-Making
2.5 COVID-19 Makes Matters Worse
2.6 Voiceless on Key Issues Like Climate Change
3 Building a Meaningful Compact with Young People
References
33: Reflecting on the YouthMappers Movement
1 Marveling at the Movement as a Digital Public Good
1.1 What Has Been the Main Contribution of YouthMappers to the Potential for Reaching SDGs?
1.2 How Does YouthMappers Strengthen Youth Links to the UN SDGs?
1.3 In What Ways Do You Believe Leadership Assumed by YouthMappers Has Been Able to Contribute, Galvanize, or Mobilize Their Communities?
2 Reflecting on Innovation, a Spirit of Overcoming, and Action Towards the SDGs
2.1 What Are Some of the Most Unique Methodologies and Technologies Used by YouthMappers That Relate to the UN SDGs? And What Is Unique About Them?
2.2 What New Innovations or Methods Do YouthMappers Have with the Potential to Advance?
2.3 What Conceptual Ideas Do YouthMappers Have the Potential to Advance?
3 Identifying Where We Still Have a Lot of Work to Do
4 Where Are YouthMappers Going Next
5 How Are We to Support This Journey from Here?
Index
