Open Data is data that can be freely used, shared and built-on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. It is often talked about as an attribute of a good government and healthy society. Over the last few years, governments have been starting to attempt to harvest the value and potential of Open Data.
Despite this, the importance for open data in government is still often contended and some governments are certainly still lagging behind the trend. However, it is important for all countries, whether they are looking to combat poverty or move towards real sustainable development.
This started to happen a few years ago in Tanzania. Dar Es Salaam is fast-moving to become a ‘Smart City’ and this is largely because Open Data has got people thinking about everything from how to deal with growth to preventing flooding.
A Smart City is an urban area that uses different types of electronic data collection sensors to supply information which is used to manage assets and resources efficiently. By making data-driven decisions about planning, it is easier to adapt to user-centred technology and improving public services.
Other benefits of smart cities include:
- Enhanced citizen and government engagement
- Safer communities
- Reduced environmental footprint
- Improved transportation
- Increased digital equity
- New economic development opportunities
- Efficient public utilities
- Improved infrastructure
- Increased workforce engagement
Opening up data in Tanzania helps support this user-centric urban development that is sustainable and move towards becoming a Smart City, as Roza Vasileva argues. This is particularly important, as Dar Es Salaam is one Africa’s fastest growing cities and without sustainability, the citizens could face decades of housing, health and economic issues.
Considerable strides have been made – such as opening up street data and better communications – so that citizens can use technology, such as Uber. But Dar Es Salaam still is far from becoming a Smart City. Open Data may mean that you are able to use Uber in the country, but you still need to talk to the driver on the phone and in Swahili. The government also collects a lot of data, but often is not known where this is going and how it is help the city become a Smart City.
But it is not all about smart cities. As open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone – it can help support life-saving services.
An online crowdmapping tool is being used to chart unmarked villages in remote parts of Tanzania and help girls escaping female genital mutilation (FGM) find their way to safety. This has allowed people from across the world help save lives by contributing to this data, by volunteering online.
In January 2017, mappers, working with people on the ground in Tanzania, caused the disruption of a planned FGM ceremony on a teenage girl by using open-source maps and smartphones to find her. The 16 year old was freed from the home in which she had been locked ahead of the ceremony, which though illegal under Tanzanian law is still practised in some regions.
These online volunteers have been working with volunteers in Tanzania and worldwide and add data to openstreetmap, buildings over the last few years. This allows better delivery and monitoring of services, and improved navigation and visibility.
Run by Crowd2Map, the open-source maps are then downloaded to apps like MAPS.ME and Crowd2Map recruit people on the ground, with smartphones, to use the app to name the remote towns and villages, as well as add in the names of schools, medical clinics and shops.
“We are building a global network to unite people from across the world,” said Janet Chapman, founder of Crowd2Map Tanzania, speaking at a mapathon hosted by UNFPA back in September 2018.
This is all quite exciting. Dar Es Salaam has already a strong innovation ecosystem and great minds to nurture it. Open Data is by no means a way to solve all problems in Tanzania – especially when it comes to making the best use of new technology. It takes vision and a combination of different factors to make real change – such as innovation and good e-government. And what may work well in the city, may need rethinking in rural areas, but nonetheless, open data is already driving real change in Tanzanian lives.
onsundays.tech.blog 