Humanitarian OSM Team/Open Mapping Hub - Latin America and The Caribbean/Activations/2025 Annual Anticipatory Mapathons
 2025 Anticipatory National Mapathons
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| Description |
| The Annual National Anticipatory Mapathons (MANA) are an innovative strategy to close mapping gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening risk prevention and management. |
Context of the Mapathon
The Annual Anticipatory National Mapathons (MANA) have become a valuable tool to address critical mapping gaps in Latin America and the Caribbean. Led by the Latin America and Caribbean Open Mapping Hub (LAC Hub) of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), these mapathons respond to the urgent need for accurate geospatial data for risk prevention and mitigation. By integrating broad citizen participation within limited timeframes, leveraging open technologies, and fostering multisectoral collaboration, the MANA initiatives provide valuable inputs for territorial planning and enhance the capacity to respond to natural disasters. More information here.
In 2024, MANA made a tangible impact in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala, demonstrating the transformative potential of open mapping in building more resilient communities.
Looking ahead to 2025, HOT will continue this work in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, deepening collaboration and community-driven mapping for disaster preparedness and resilience.
Contacts
Timeline
| Country | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia | May 5 | June 27 |
| Peru | September 4 | September 10 |
| México | August 19 | September 30 |
| Ecuador | November 18 | December 16 |
Participating Countries
México
Mexico faces a climate crisis that hits its most vulnerable municipalities the hardest, places where poverty, marginalization, and exposure to disasters converge. In response, the National Mapathon of Mexico emerges as a concrete action for adaptation and resilience, led by HOT, National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED), Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), and Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMex).
This year, the initiative focuses on 20 municipalities with critical geospatial data gaps. By generating open maps with local communities, the Mapathon aims to inform public policies, improve access to resources, and strengthen a national network of participatory mapping. The prioritized municipalities are: in Chiapas, Ostuacán, Pichucalco, Pijijiapan, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Huehuetlán, and Villa Comaltitlán; in Michoacán, Ixtlán, Jiquilpan, and Sahuayo; in Quintana Roo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Othón Blanco, and Solidaridad; in Oaxaca, San José Independencia and San Lucas Ojitlán; in Querétaro, Tequisquiapan; in Hidalgo, Tula; in Nayarit, Acaponeta; in Sonora, Bácum; and in Baja California Sur, Los Cabos.
The Mapathon took place from August 19 to September 30. It had an impact of: 970 participants, 349,032 buildings mapped, 902 km of roads mapped, and 28 municipalities mapped. To recognize their effort, the top 20 participants will receive a gift card sponsored by TomTom.
Colombia
In a country like Colombia, whose diverse geography makes it vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, having accurate, up-to-date, and accessible geospatial information is not just a technical advantage, it is a vital need to save lives and strengthen community resilience.
However, large regions of the country, especially rural or peripheral areas with higher levels of vulnerability, still face critical mapping gaps, limiting their ability to anticipate and respond to emergencies.
In response to this challenge, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), with technical support from the Latin America and Caribbean Open Mapping Hub (LAC Hub) of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), and with the backing of the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC), is leading the Colombia National Mapathon as part of the Annual National Anticipatory Mapathons (MANA) promoted by HOT. This initiative is further strengthened by the leadership of youth mapping collectives such as YouthMappers, SAGEMA, and TadeoMappers, as well as youth networks like the National Network of Youth for the Environment and the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Colombia.
Map updating is a key component of the National Risk Knowledge Strategy. Based on the updated cartography generated during the exercise, community, educational, and institutional actors document hazard zones, evacuation routes, and other critical elements. These maps are essential for territorial planning and evidence-based decision-making.
The mapathon took place from May 5 to June 27. It had an impact of: 232 participants, 74,612 buildings mapped, 454 km of roads mapped, and 55 km of waterways mapped. To recognize their effort, the top 10 participants will receive a gift card sponsored by TomTom.
Peru
The Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) launched the 5th edition of the National Mapathon, a free nationwide contest that brings together space technology, innovation, and young talent to design solutions with real impact. HOT contributed with two training sessions (September 4 and 8) focused on updating base cartography in OpenStreetMap and strengthening risk management. Students, professionals, researchers, and universities across Peru are encouraged to join and help map the country’s future with science and technology.
The results include: 69 contributors, 17,243 buildings mapped and 11 km of roads mapped. To recognize their effort, the top 5 participants will receive a gift card sponsored by TomTom.
Ecuador
For the third time, Ecuador will host its National Risk Management Mapathon. This initiative is carried out in coordination with the National Secretariat for Risk Management, Segura EP, the Autonomous Decentralized Governments (GAD), GeomapEspe, and OpenlabEC, with the aim of updating the country’s OSM map and strengthening decision-making during emergencies. Every contribution helps improve preparedness and response. This edition is supported by TomTom, which will award gift cards to the 10 participants with the highest quality and volume of mapping.
The mapathon ran from November 18 to December 31, with one session held each week. The results included 176 contributors, 106,521 mapped buildings, 653 km of mapped roads, and 7 km of mapped waterways.
Remote Mapping Coordination
Data Quality
Source data for task location in populated places: ESRI World Imagery.
Validation: This project includes direct investment from HOT in full validation by experts.
- OSMCha: A specific OSMCha filter can be used to detect data quality issues across a wider area.
- Overpass Turbo: A specific Overpass Turbo query can be used to check the data quality regularly. Open it in JOSM and run validation (Shift+V).
For Mappers
How You Can Contribute
Mapping Priority
- Please choose from highest priority first.
- We call for local mappers to prioritize local knowledge on the area.
- The call is for basic, intermediate and experienced mappers.
- Experienced mappers are also asked to participate in validating completed tasks. Information on validating can be found here:
Tasking Manager Projects
| Proyectos en Tasking Manager | |||
| Campaña | País | Enlace a Tasking Manager | Hashtag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Colombia Mapatón Nacional | Colombia | Mapatón Nacional de Colombia | #Mapathones_Vulnerables |
| 2025 Perú Mapatón Nacional | Peru | Mapatón Nacional de Peru | #2025_MH_PER_MapatonNacional |
| 2025 México Mapatón Nacional | México | Mapatón Nacional de México | #2025_MH_MX_MapatonNacional |
| 2025 Ecuador Mapatón Nacional | Ecuador | Mapatón Nacional de Ecuador | 2025_MH_ECU_MapatonNacional |
Available Imagery
Project-Specific Mapping Notes
If you want to use JOSM, you must download the MapWithAI plugin. The plugin's Wiki page contains detailed usage instructions. You can also use the building_tools plugin, which will make the process of creating geometries easier. Once the building is digitized, use the "Q" key to adjust the geometry. Keep in mind that buildings should typically not intersect with each other or with other constructions.
Instructions for manually mapping buildings:
- Draw the entire building, even if it's partially covered by trees in the imagery.
- Existing buildings and roads should not overlap each other.
- Stand-alone buildings should not share nodes with their neighbors.
Mapping tall buildings in dense areas - video tutorial:
- Do not confuse the displacement with the building's shadow.
- In iD, if you hold down the "alt" key, you will prevent the nodes from "snapping" together.
- Map all buildings that are at least 50% within the bounding box.
- Do not delete or modify existing elements unless you are sure of what you are doing.
- Adjust roads only if they are incorrect and affect your ability to map buildings.
Imagery:
- Try to use Bing imagery, which is more up-to-date than ESRI imagery and is more likely to match features as intended by AI.
- Note: wait for the imagery to load before marking the task as unavailable.
- Align the imagery with existing features if necessary. To do this, consult the iD Editor's Imagery Alignment Guide.
Tags:
- When adding a building, iD will label it with building=yes by default. If you know what type of building it is (e.g., house, apartments, commercial), you can label it accordingly.
- Refer to the OSM wiki page on building features for more information on building types.
- If you know the building's name, number of floors, or address, you can add these tags.
Results
| Year | Country | Mappers | Buildings | Roads | Waterways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | México | 970 | 349,032 | 970 km | 122 km |
| 2025 | Peru | 69 | 17,243 | 11 km | - |
| 2025 | Colombia | 232 | 74,612 | 454 km | 55 km |
| 2025 | Ecuador | 176 | 106,521 | 653 km | 7 km |