2025-11-29 –, Auditorium Language: English
Urban air pollution is a growing public health crisis in rapidly developing cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, where vulnerable communities often remain unmapped and underserved. The Eco-Smart Cities project -launched in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire by the Open Mapping Hub - West and Northern Africa (WNA) under the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) - aims to address this challenge by remotely mapping over 30 urban settlements across Lagos, Kaduna, and Oyo (Nigeria), as well as Gagnoa, Anyama, Yamoussoukro, and Bingerville (Côte d’Ivoire). The initiative integrates OpenStreetMap (OSM) as a participatory community mapping tool, enabling local contributions of critical infrastructure data to support localized climate and health interventions.
This project demonstrates how community-generated OSM data—including roads, health centers, and building footprints—can be combined with R Shiny, an open-source web application framework, to build an interactive visualization tool for air pollution risk assessment. The tool integrates Earth Observation (EO) data from the Sentinel-5P satellite to display 7-year average NO₂ exposure (2018–2024), overlaid with health vulnerability indicators derived from OSM data. This visual approach enables the identification of pollution hotspots, high-density exposure zones, and public health service gaps, particularly in underserved communities.
By linking satellite-based air quality data with OSM data, the application supports environmental health monitoring, evidence-based urban planning, and more equitable public health interventions. This open-source, scalable framework illustrates the power of combining OSM, EO data, and R-based visualization tools for impactful, data-driven cartography—empowering communities and decision-makers across the Global South to respond more effectively to the dual challenges of urbanization and climate change.
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.