Ardhi University-Tanzania
Field Report (Tandale ward)
Name: Nickson Mng’anya
On Friday 05/08/2011,it was a day we had an interaction between we(Ardhi university student), community residence and world bank representative for the Participation in Community Forum project at Tandale ward in Dar es Salaam (World Bank project). It was site visit day of Tandale ward where by introduction of open street mapping software was conducted and with an illustration on how to operate more theoretical and less practice.
09.08.2011 on Tuesday, it was an introduction day to the Tandale residence with their post from the hamlets levels. First objective was announced that was to prepare map of Tandale wards with the use of GPS, computer with Open Street Mapping software, internet and human labor which involve expertise (student) and community members. Community residences were introduced to the programme such as how to open street mapping and to upload data from GPS to files for operation of map making. Thus, the community where introduced with the knowledge of the computer and GPS.
Operation was such as to turn on GPS, go to main menu, select set up, and then interface where by information from GPS will be connected to computer ready to be uploaded for editing and map preparation. Also justification on advantages of mapping such as enable identification of the problem from the ward, showing area with issues, map produced can help to direct some one and show location of the area. Eventually, internet make the world as a global village that will enable maps produced will be updated to Open Street Mapping software for reference from different users.
At last groups were introduced to perform particular task to accomplish the main objective map preparation which where groups of mapping, editors, satellite image and story tellers with the tools such as GPS, computer and man power. From the community a member of the group selection wasaccording to categorizing due to area of their residence but to expertise (Ardhi-student) was due to interest with exchange of duties to following days. Problems were identified by community residence such as water and sanitation in Tandale ward.
Wednesday 10 august, it was an introduction day to ward development officer Mrs. Diana of Tandale wards. From the Tandale wards areas selected where such as Pakacha, Sokoni, Muhalitani, Kwatumbo, Mkunduge and site visit according to groups where operated. First assignment was to go to the site to takes nodes points of church, mosques, schools (primary and nursery), boundaries and water tanks. Coordinate taken were less attributes and more spatial data from the site that was a need to write down attributes data also with the aid of photos by camera. After a hour we return to the offices to download the data from the site from GPS and save them to a file on the computer.
On Thursday 11/08/2011, editing was on progress with consultation which was conducted to all groups according to their area during the whole process of editing. Task of mapping was introduced which was more focused on mapping trackers and footways. On editing session, we upload data from GPS and store the to file through Open Street Mapping software where by uploaded data after been displayed on a screen of computer we edit different point and add value to by putting stories such as operation of pub within 24/7(hours/days). All in all, we had a talk with mark on day activities and involvement of the community on editing map and impose awareness to let them feel sense of ownership of the project.
12.08.2011 on Friday, we gathered at Tandale ward office for the daily routine to accomplish the preparation of map. Activity was introduce such as people should go to site to collect data by GPS and notice down attributes data of a particular node of feature. Other groups were consulted during the process of editing and updating satellite image for reference. Also the consultation go to how to open website which was www.openstreetmaping.org for upload map and update data from editing and open account with the use of diary in our account from the website.
Monday 15 august, groups were splits where by editors. Story tellers, satellite image and mappers were taken into action. Editors and story tellers remain behind by the Tandale office for editing and preparation of the map on open street software and the rest on the mapping and satellite image we went to the site for updating point and mapping through GPS and we write down some particular from the point taken and capture some picture from the site. Then, we brought back data from the site upload to the working file for editing and map preparation.
On Tuesday 16/08/2011, the process went on I was in the group of editing and story teller whom we remained behind where by the rest went to the site for taking point of tracker. Involve importing and tracing data from the file uploaded in GPS to Open Street Mapping software .the activities was to edit tracks, waypoint and add detail to point. Thus, on Wednesday 17.08.2010 mark went to World Bank office in Dar and he did not come to office we continue with our duties under our trainer Lucy and Hassan. I went to site and exchange responsibility within our group member where by other remains for editing and map preparation.
Thursday 18/08/2011, continuation of mapping process both tracks ad main future such as water tanks were updated from the site. We proceed with editing process while tracing and adding values to points we faced some difficulties. From data uploaded from GPS, during editing and updating process map data updated face conflict on nodes. But we (me and my day partner) with help of trainer we resolve the conflict by freezing the nodes and upload the maps update to saver.
At last, we had a short meeting between Mr. Mark, expertise (student) and community member on how to address identified issues such as water and sanitation. The day was call off and Mr. Mark promise to bring world bank expert whom will technical will teach as to trace building cause from the satellite image are not well seen and possess a lot of pixel. Land resource is a natural good and scarcity where by proper land management entails decision making and implementation of the decision about land development.