Complete professional training in digital mapping, JOSM, and the HOT Tasking Manager workflow.
Digital mapping is a critical skill that enables humanitarian organizations, health planners, disaster response teams, and development projects to make informed decisions. As a mapper, you'll contribute to creating and maintaining accurate geographic data that impacts real-world operations.
Before you can start mapping, you need to set up three essential accounts. This process takes approximately 15 minutes and establishes your identity within the global mapping community.
JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor) is the professional-grade desktop editor used by experienced mappers worldwide. It offers advanced features, powerful editing tools, and efficient workflows that web-based editors cannot match.
The HOT Tasking Manager is your command center for coordinated mapping projects. It divides large areas into manageable tasks, assigns work, tracks progress, and ensures consistent quality across distributed teams of mappers worldwide.
Building digitization is the core skill of humanitarian mapping. Accurate building data enables population estimates, disaster response planning, health service delivery, and infrastructure development. This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of professional building mapping.
Road and path mapping creates the transportation network that connects buildings, enables navigation, and supports logistics planning. Accurate road data is essential for emergency response, delivery services, and community development.
Quality assurance is not optional - it's a core part of every mapper's responsibility. Before uploading any data, you must validate your work using JOSM's built-in tools and manual inspection. Poor quality mapping creates more work for validators and undermines humanitarian efforts.