Technology and innovation have opened up tremendous amounts of opportunity for surveyors, map users and the GIS industry. but there is a lot of incorrect info about what is changing and how it’s changing. Nonetheless, there is a huge opportunity for surveyors that recognize the advantages associated with being early-movers. That’s just part of what’s so exhilarating about the future of the industry.

I’m most excited about how open streetmap is using technology in a way that enables the next generation of youths to use maps and change the environment. The GIS industry faces a growing age divide — there are not enough young enthusiast to take over for those who are approaching retirement. When we work with the younger generation of mappers, I love to encourage youth mappers to start capitalizing on web-based open geospatial technologies, together we can cultivate a generation of young leaders to create resilient communities and to define our world by mapping it. There is no better time than now.

On the last few weeks, mapping activity around Lagos City, where I map a lot, from POI’s, street names, and buildings, have been increasing. And while I added many POI’s and street names (mostly the very familiar ones) withing the city, there is a lot still missing, that locals are working on. One of the active local user and contributor in Lagos that started mapping activity withing Lagos city is:

lagosmapper

Looking at the edit history, almost all are mapping withing Lagos City, and they are local edits. The increased mapping activity in Lagos is good news that locals there are inspired to map, thanks to all the efforts to put Nigeria on the map. Looking at the mapping activity Project at Ibadan City, the active response from the last weekend mapping party facilitated by “lagosmapper” is a great one. Obviously, the number of OSM contributors mapping Nigeria may increase from this update.