Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping Second Edition, 2011 This field guide was produced by MapAction to help humanitarian organisations to make use of mapping methods using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related technologies. About MapAction MapAction has, since 2003, become the most experienced international NGO in using GIS and related matters in the field in sudden-onset natural disasters as well as complex emergencies. When disaster strikes a region, a MapAction team arrives quickly at the scene and creates a stream of unique maps that depict the situation as the crisis unfolds. Aid agencies rely on these maps to coordinate the relief effort. MapAction regularly gives training and guidance to staff of aid organisations at national, regional and global levels in using geospatial methods. This second edition of the Field Guide expands the content of the highly successful first edition published in 2009. For further details on MapAction, emergency maps or to make a donation please visit - www.mapaction.org, or email - [email protected]. Lime Farm Office Little Missenden Bucks HP7 0RQ UK Copyright © 2011 MapAction. Any part of this field guide may be cited, copied, adapted, translated and further distributed for non-commercial purposes without prior permission from MapAction, provided the original source is clearly stated. Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping MapAction Second Edition, July 2011 Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping Preface: How to use this field guide There are now many possible ways to create maps for humanitarian work, with an ever-growing range of hardware and software tools available. This can be a problem for humanitarian field workers who want to collect and share mappable data and make simple maps themselves during an emergency. This guide aims to explain a limited range of tried-and-tested methods suitable for humanitarian field work, using free or low cost tools. The main requirements are a PC, an internet connection (to download the software and data you need before you go into the field) and a little time to practice using the various tools. A GPS unit (or maybe a satellite phone with built-in GPS) is a very useful extra item, if you have one or can get access to one. Where to start The guide is written in modular chapters with the aim that you can start in different places depending on your level of prior knowledge. The guide contains tutorials on the use of two alternative mapping toolkits: Google Earth (Chapter 4) and an open source GIS software package called Quantum GIS (Chapter 5). There is also a section on using a GPS to collect data (Chapter 3). If you have time, or if you are completely new to the subject, we recommend that you read Chapter 1 first. It contains an introduction to the whole subject and explains some important terms and concepts. However, don’t be discouraged by these technicalities: it is quite possible to start using the software tools without an in-depth understanding of all the details. Google Earth in particular is very easy to use. If you want to use a GIS software package other than the Quantum GIS suite which is covered here, this guide may still be useful to you because almost all the main concepts are relevant whatever software you intend to use. Finally, if you find difficulty in understanding or using any of the content of the guide, or if you have suggestions to improve it, please email us at [email protected]. We wish you success in your humanitarian work. II www.mapaction.org Acknowledgements Contents This guide has been authored principally by Naomi Morris of MapAction with assistance from the MapAction team. Grateful thanks are due to the Dulverton Trust who provided funding to research and write the guide. For providing technical input and advice thanks are also due to Ramiro Galvez of UNDAC, Bhupinder Tomar of IFRC, Charlie Mason of Save the Children, Joe Kratochvil Mapping of US USAR, the Communications and Information Services Branch OCHA, Humanitarian Matthew Needle and Dr Richard Teeuw of the University of Portsmouth, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kester Riley of Riley Trading Limited. The first edition of this field guide was published in Data 2009 and has been used by a broad spectrum of Collection humanitarian and development organisations seeking practical and low cost ways to exploit geospatial methods in their work. In response to demand, MapAction is delighted to issue this second edition. Several chapters are expanded to meet users’ requests GPS for more detail, particularly on where to find map data. Also, the Guide now gives step-by-step guidance on the use of Quantum GIS (QGIS), an open source software toolkit that has gone from strength to strength in its reliability and appropriateness for field use. This guide has been compiled from MapAction’s experience in disaster preparedness and relief operations drawn from many training sessions and disaster emergency missions; however every situation is different. We greatly Google Earth value comments and suggestions, and we will do our best to answer your questions about using GIS and GPS for humanitarian mapping in the field: please email [email protected]. QGIS III Annex Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping Contents Preface II Acknowledgements III Contents IV Chapter 1: An Introduction to Humanitarian Mapping 1.1 Introduction to chapter 1 1 1.2 How are maps useful in humanitarian work? 2 1.3 What mapping tools can my organisation use today? 3 1.4 Some key concepts 5 1.4.1 What is ‘spatial data’? 5 1.4.2 How can we use and share our spatial data? 5 1.4.3 What kinds of spatial data may be useful in my work? 6 1.5 Cautions when collecting and using spatial data 7 1.6 Projections and datums 8 1.7 Data formats 9 1.7.1 Vector Shapefiles 9 1.7.2 KML and KMZ 10 1.7.3 Raster and image data 10 1.8 Data and information management 11 1.9 An introduction to cartography 13 1.10 Community-level mapping techniques 15 1.11 GIS software recommendations 16 1.12 Case Study 19 Chapter 2: Geographic Data Collection 2.1 Introduction to chapter 2 21 2.1.1 Scale and geographical scope 21 2.1.2 Data quality 22 2.1.3 Conditions of use 23 2.1.4 File formats 23 2.2 Forget GIS, I just need a map 24 2.3 Data layers: key categories (with sources) 25 2.3.1 Further sources of data 31 2.4 Datasets and data sources 32 2.4.1 Obtaining downloadable MODIS data 40 2.4.2 Obtaining downloadable OpenStreetMap (OSM) data 46 2.4.3 Obtaining data from the Global Land Cover Facility 47 2.5 Organising your datasets 51 2.5.1 Structure of data folders/databases 51 2.5.2 File naming 52 IV www.mapaction.org Chapter 3: An Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) 3.1 Introduction 54 Contents 3.2 Before your field mission 54 3.3 Coordinate systems and datums 55 3.3.1 Coordinate systems 55 3.3.2 Datums 56 3.4 Types of data you can collect using the GPS 56 Mapping 3.5 Suggestions on how to use GPS to collect data 57 Humanitarian 3.6 Recording your data 58 3.7 Back at base 59 3.8 GPS Utility 60 3.8.1 Connect to GPS or GPS Utility 60 3.8.2 Downloading data from GPS to GPSU 60 Data Collection 3.8.3 Saving data 60 3.8.4 Uploading data to a GPS 61 3.9 GPS base maps 61 3.10 Final thoughts 61 Appendix 3A: GPS checklist 62 GPS Appendix 3B: Waypoint recording sheet 63 Appendix 3C: Examples of GPS unit functions 64 Appendix 3D: GPS and Smartphones 65 Chapter 4: Google Earth for Humanitarian Mapping 4 How to use chapter 4 66 4.1 Introduction to chapter 4: what is Google Earth? 67 4.1.1 Using Google Earth 67 4.1.2 Viewing the Globe 69 Google Earth 4.1.3 Changing Languages 69 4.1.4 Important technical points to note 70 4.1.5 Using the navigation controls 70 4.1.6 Finding places and directions 71 4.1.7 Display tools 73 4.1.8 Using the overview map 73 QGIS 4.1.9 Viewing preferences 74 4.1.10 Viewing a location in Google Maps 74 V Annex Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping 4.2 Layers 75 4.2.1 Basic layers 75 4.2.2 Terrain elevation 76 4.3 Adding new features 76 4.3.1 Create and edit folders and placemarks 76 4.3.2 Quick guide: how to create and edit folders and placemarks 77 4.3.3 Advanced folders and placemarks 80 4.3.4 HTML 82 4.3.5 Basic tools: Creating a path or polygon 83 4.3.5 Basic tools: Measurements 84 4.4 Using image overlays 85 4.4.1 Image overlay basics 86 4.4.2 Advanced image overlays 87 4.5 GPS and Google Earth 88 4.5.1 Using GPS Devices with Google Earth 89 4.5.2 Importing GPS Data 89 4.5.3 Real-time GPS tracking 90 4.6 Saving and sharing Google Earth data 91 4.6.1 KML 91 4.6.2 Sharing ‘Places’ Information 93 4.6.3 Sharing data over a network 94 4.7 Google Earth add-ons 95 4.8 Saving and printing images 97 4.8.1 Save current view 97 4.8.2 Printing 97 4.8.3 Memory and disk cache preferences 97 4.9 Google Fusion Tables 99 4.9.1 Some basic features of Google Fusion Tables 99 4.9.2 Visualising your data on Google Maps 103 4.9.3 Exporting data as a KML for use in Google Earth 105 Appendix 4A: Quick reference guide 106 Appendix 4B: Entering coordinates in Google Earth 107 Appendix 4C: Google Earth keyboard equivalent commands 108 Appendix 4D: Useful websites for Google Earth 109 VI www.mapaction.org Chapter 5: Humanitarian Mapping for Quantum GIS 5 How to use chapter 5 110 Contents 5.1 Introduction: getting started with Quantum GIS 111 5.1.1 Download Quantum GIS 111 5.1.2 Basic layout 111 5.2 Creating and saving a new project 114 5.2.1 Loading and saving an existing project 114 5.3 Data 114 Mapping 5.3.1 Raster data 115 Humanitarian 5.3.2 Vector data 115 5.3.3 Adding data to your project 116 5.4 Navigating QGIS 116 5.4.1