Started in 2011 by GFDRR, OpenDRI applies the concepts of the global open data movement to the challenges of reducing vulnerability to natural hazards and the impacts of climate change. OpenDRI supports World Bank Regional Disaster Risk Management Teams to build capacity and long-term ownership of open data projects with client countries that are tailored to meet specific needs and goals of stakeholders. Learn more.

Open Data for Resilience Initiative Field Guide

The Open Data for Resilience Initiative Field Guide highlights the experience and approaches of OpenDRI, including the use of tools such as GeoNode and crowdsourcing, and is aimed at practitioners considering how open data may support a DRM project.

 

OpenDRI Programs:

Open data platforms: To increase public access to risk information, OpenDRI engages in dialogue with governments on the value of open data through working groups, pilot projects that evolve into long-term locally owned open data projects. OpenDRI provides technical solutions and assistance for the project implementation through GeoNode, a free and open source data sharing platform.

GeoNode allows for the storing, analyzing and managing of data that is critical for planning, policies and decision-making. Partners can collate and share layers of geospatial data, combine those layers into visualizations and exchange both the raw data and collaborative maps.

GeoNode provides:

·         Simple interface that allows users to upload and share their map data

·         Data library that users can browse or search

·         Visualization tools that empower users to create their own maps and analysis

·         Variable security permissions to determine who can see the data

 

Community mapping and crowdsourcing: To engage communities in the creation of accurate and timely data about the rapidly evolving urban and rural environments in the place they live, OpenDRI works with governments and local communities to utilize simple, collaborative, crowdsourcing mapping tools such as OpenStreetMap.

Often using OpenStreetMap, OpenDRI’s community mapping projects mobilize the residents of a place to collect and maintain geospatial data about their built environment and its exposure to natural hazards. Mapping projects also take advantage of remote mapping and crowdsourcing by engaging the international community through partnerships with development organizations and universities.

These projects can provide a dynamic source of infrastructure and risk information for DRM activities, as well as make the process of understanding risk more inclusive and participatory. Mapped data includes:

·         Location of key infrastructure such as schools and health centers

·         Building characteristics

·         Roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure

 

To learn more about community mapping, read Planning An Open Cities Mapping Project.

This guide was developed to document lessons learned from work in South Asia and other areas, and provide an overview of the design and implementation of a community mapping program. It is intended for practitioners who wish to bring community mapping initiatives to their cities or regions. Community mapping efforts often result in increased awareness of disaster risk within governments and a consensus within ministries that this risk must be reduced.

 

Risk visualization and communication: To communicate risk more effectively to decision-makers in planning, preparedness and response activities, OpenDRI works with governments and partners to develop InaSAFE software. By combining data from scientists, local governments and communities, InaSAFE provides insights into the likely effects of disaster events.  

Risk information needs to be fit-for-purpose and targeted towards the decision-makers who rely on it for guidance, yet communicating this information on potential impact in clear and actionable ways is challenging. InaSAFE provides a flexible tool that can provide targeted impact calculations to disaster scenarios, while helping to improve:

·         Communication of risk

·         Policy-making

·         Preparedness activities

·         Response planning

By producing disaster impact maps, InaSAFE engages communities and decision-makers by advancing their understanding of risk. With a consistent and easy-to-use interface, InaSAFE allows users, with minimal training, to load new data for analysis. It is primarily a desktop-based tool, but a web-based version is currently under development.

 

For more information please contact the OpenDRI team at opendri@understandrisk.org.