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On November 29, 2024, the Khmer Earth Observation Laboratory (KHEOBS) organized a mapathon in Phnom Penh, marking a key milestone in the project AfriCam in Cambodia. This event brought together participants with varying skills to map the roads and buildings of Aek Phnom district, a key area for field missions. By combining the commitment of volunteers and the power of participatory cartography, this initiative aims to provide valuable data to anticipate and improve humanitarian interventions.
On November 29, 2024, an effervescent dynamic reigned at the Khmer Earth Observation Laboratory (KHEOBS) in Phnom Penh. The teams orchestrated a mapathon, aimed at mapping the roads and buildings of Aek Phnom district in Battambang province, a key site forAfriCam initiative. This event, involving students and professionals from various backgrounds, aimed to optimize preparations for field missions and strengthen cartography participatory. This article explores the ins and outs of this innovative project and its impact on sustainable development in Cambodia.
What is a mapathon?
The concept of mapathon is captivating and engaging. These are events of neogeography where volunteers, whether novices or experts, come together to work on mapping projects together. Participants can meet face-to-face, as was the case for the mapathon in Phnom Penh, or participate remotely. Mapathons often respond to problems of development or initiatives humanitarian, thus making it possible to create open and accessible databases, such as that ofOpenStreetMap (OSM).
A gathering of talents
The KHEOBS mapathon brought together a diverse group of twenty participants. Among them, master’s students, doctoral students, but also engineers and researchers from institutions such as the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia as well as the IRD. Together, they had the opportunity to map specific roads and buildings in Aek Phnom while benefiting from training on the participatory cartography.
Interactive training on OpenStreetMap
Before diving into map editing, participants received a detailed introduction to the OSM database and how it works. Interactive sessions were organized, where everyone was able to familiarize themselves with the contribution process, using an online task management tool, the Task Manager. This software, hosted by KHEOBS, allowed participants to register and begin digitizing roads and buildings using satellite images provided by OSM, as well as a high-resolution image made available by the laboratory.
Guided by the KHEOBS team, the participants gradually acquired autonomy and confidence in their contributions, crucial skills for carrying out missions in the field.
How to participate in the AfriCam initiative?
For anyone who is curious and wants to get involved in participatory cartography, there is still time to join the AfriCam initiative in Cambodia. All you have to do is register to take part in this enriching collective adventure. More information can be found on the project website, accessible here: https://tasks.geohealthresearch.org/projects/46.
Context and objectives of the AfriCam project
The AfriCam project, financed by AFD, is part of the PREACTS program, which aims to prevent the emergence of zoonoses and ensure the resilience of ecological systems. By bringing together several countries in Africa and Asia, this project seeks to strengthen surveillance systems and build socio-ecosystems durable. The initiative highlights the importance of cooperation between local actors, researchers and communities in order to better understand the risks linked to infectious diseases.
Capacity Building and Partnerships
Through the project, several objectives are defined: strengthening knowledge on zoonotic issues, developing surveillance strategies at the local scale, and increasing risk management capacities in the territories. By creating solid links between science, society and politics, the project contributes to the establishment of sustainable initiatives based on the involvement of local populations.
If you are interested in the AfriCam initiative, do not hesitate to consult the additional resources available online:
- Details about the AfriCam Project
- Cirad and AfriCam
- Launch of the AfriCam Project
- In the heart of villages with AfriCam
- Early detection of emergences with AfriCam
Contact for more information
For any questions or information, do not hesitate to contact Vincent Herbreteau, researcher at IRD and co-head of the KHEOBS laboratory, by email to vincent.herbreteau@ird.fr.
FAQ about the AfriCam Initiative in Cambodia
What is a mapathon? A mapathon is a neogeography event where groups of volunteers come together to work on mapping projects collaboratively. These events aim to resolve development issues or humanitarian projects by creating accessible geographic data.
What was the objective of the mapathon organized by KHEOBS? The objective was to map the roads and buildings of Aek Phnom district, while training participants in participatory cartography.
Who participated in the mapathon? Twenty participants took part in the event, including students, engineers and researchers from different institutes, such as the Cambodia Institute of Technology and the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia.
How were the participants trained? Participants were introduced to the database OpenStreetMap and attended a training session on contribution processes, using online tools such as Task Manager.
How long is the AfriCam project? The AfriCam project, which is part of the PREACTS initiative, has a duration of three years and aims to meet the needs of targeted countries, including Cambodia.
What issues does the AfriCam project focus on? The project focuses on the study of zoonotic risks linked to hydrological dynamics and climate change, while strengthening systems to prevent the emergence of these risks.