2025-11-30 –, Auditorium Language: English
In Freetown, it is estimated that over 360,000 people reside in informal settlements. These are vibrant and dynamic neighbourhoods of varying size, recency, and characteristics. The residents of these settlements move between their neighbourhoods and other parts of the city for economic and social reasons, but also to access services not available where they live.
As informal settlements often evolve without formal planning processes, the entry and exit points that connect them to adjacent neighbourhoods are not optimised. This means that some parts of informal settlements are very well served by access routes and some are poorly served.
For persons living with disabilities in informal settlements, a lack of proximate entry/exit points or inaccessible entry/exit points can greatly exacerbate the already challenging process of accessing essential services, economic opportunity, or social networks.
Using recently acquired high-resolution drone imagery, OpenStreetMap data, and community-driven mapping approaches, the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Freetown City Council (FCC), National Commission for Persons with Disabilities – Sierra Leone (NCPD), and OpenStreetMap Sierra Leone (OSM SL) are collaborating to develop analytical methods aimed at evaluating the current state of accessibility in seven informal settlements for persons with disabilities. The project also seeks to model how various proposed physical interventions could enhance their access to services and opportunities beyond the settlements where they reside.
The analysis employs open-source GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tools to evaluate optimal walkability zones within the seven informal settlements, focusing on access to key entry and exit points such as bridges, crossways, and highways.
Alongside open drone software - Drone Tasking Manager (Drone TM) and OpenDroneMap (ODM) - to capture and process the high-resolution imagery, the analysis leverages several open mapping and open geo-tools and databases, including:
- OpenStreetMap and OSM editors for digitising high-quality building datasets plus POIs.
- Mapillary for capturing and processing 360-degree images/videos to validate disability-friendly metrics on highways and entry/exit points.
- pgRouting for determining how long it takes to travel to entry/exit points from households and recommends the most efficient routes to be used by PWDs.
- uMap for visualising and sharing routing analysis for persons with disabilities (PWDs), providing relevant stakeholders with evidence-based insights to support decision-making.
This BMZ-funded project aims to equip the Freetown City Council (FCC) with actionable insights to support the improvement of entry and exit point infrastructure, while also deepening the understanding of barriers to accessibility faced by persons with disabilities.
We propose to share with the State of the Map Africa audience the analytical approach used in the 'Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Freetown’s Informal Settlements, Sierra Leone' project, to gather feedback to refine and adapt the methodology for use in Freetown and other similar contexts.
Michael Osunga Otieno is a seasoned Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) analyst with extensive experience in digital mapping, data analysis, and implementing innovative GIS solutions across various sectors. Holding a Master of Science degree in Geospatial Information Systems and Remote Sensing from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Kenyatta University, Michael has dedicated his career to leveraging geospatial technologies for humanitarian and developmental purposes.
Michael’s expertise extends to using advanced GIS tools and technologies to collect, analyse, and disseminate geospatial data. His contributions have led to the development of dashboards, interactive maps, and other information management products that inform decision-making in areas such as urban planning, disaster preparedness, and public health.
A committed advocate for open data and community-driven mapping, Michael has also played a key role in empowering local stakeholders, including community members, NGOs, and government agencies, with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively use open geospatial tools and data in solving local challenges.
His research and technical publications further underscore his commitment to advancing the field of open geospatial science for the betterment of communities across Africa.