In the previous chapter, we conducted a Mapathon using the TeachOSM platform to map the Tartus task. To remind, Mapathons are collaborative events where volunteers gather to improve and update maps. During a Mapathon, participants focus on mapping of simple and easily visible objects from satellite imagery backgrounds. This is an essential first step in creating new objects on the map and contributing to the OpenStreetMap (OSM) database.

However, sometimes there is a need for more detailed mapping, especially in pupil-led projects. This may include adding new attributes (keys) to the OSM database. Field mapping becomes crucial in these cases, as it allows for the collection of more comprehensive and accurate data. To meet this demand, the current chapter will focus on a workshop that integrates OSM and smartphone mapping tools to facilitate field mapping activities.

The primary objective of this chapter is to introduce high school teachers and their pupils to open field mapping tools and their potential applications in addressing climate change challenges. By providing an overview of popular smartphone tools, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, we aim to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and resources to integrate mapping activities into their lesson plans effectively.

First step is to conduct a Mapathon using TeachOSM to create a task focused on tree mapping in the given area. The Mapathon will involve volunteers adding visible tree features from satellite imagery, while the field mapping using MapComplete will follow as a second step to complete attributes such as type of leaves, tree species height, and more. This two-step approach ensures that the map data is comprehensive and accurate.

By combining a Mapathon using TeachOSM with field mapping using MapComplete, you can create a detailed and accurate map of tree distribution in a given area, helping to better understand their role in mitigating climate risks and informing urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.

This exercise aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for detailed mapping using OpenStreetMap and smartphone app. In the following sections, we will explore the steps and guidelines for conducting the field mapping.

Smartphone mapping tools are essential for field mapping, as they allow users to collect and edit data on-the-go. In this section, we will introduce and briefly describe four popular smartphone mapping tools that offer offline editing capabilities, which are particularly useful in areas with poor or no signal coverage:

• Go Map!! is an iOS-based mapping application that enables users to edit OpenStreetMap data directly on their devices. The app allows users to add and modify map features such as roads, points of interest, and buildings. Go Map!! supports offline mapping, which means users can download map data for a specific area and continue editing even without an internet connection.

• Vespucci is an OpenStreetMap editor for Android devices. It provides users with the ability to edit and contribute to OSM while in the field. With its offline editing capabilities, users can download map data for a specific region and work on it without the need for an internet connection. Vespucci supports various types of map features, including points, lines, and areas, allowing users to create detailed maps.

• Mapillary is a street-level imagery platform that allows users to contribute geo-referenced photos using their smartphones. These photos can be used to improve and update OpenStreetMap data. The Mapillary app, available for both iOS and Android devices, enables users to capture and upload images while in the field. The app also offers offline capabilities, allowing users to continue collecting images without an internet connection.

• Field Papers is a web-based tool that enables users to print and create atlases from OpenStreetMap data. Users can annotate these printed maps in the field and then scan or photograph them to create geo-referenced images. These images can be uploaded to Field Papers' website for further editing and integration into OpenStreetMap. While Field Papers is not a smartphone app per se, it is a valuable tool for field mapping, especially in areas with poor connectivity.

• MapComplete is a user-friendly platform designed to make contributing to OpenStreetMap more accessible and enjoyable. It allows users to create custom map themes and offers easy-to-use tools for adding and editing map features. We will provide the step-by-step manual in the next chapter.

By introducing these smartphone mapping tools, participants will be better prepared for open field mapping activities, even in areas where internet connectivity is limited or unavailable. The offline editing capabilities of these applications ensure that users can continue to contribute valuable data to OpenStreetMap, regardless of their location.

• Every Door is a 100% independent tool, free from third-party endpoint dependencies. This editor allows you to view all nearby shops and amenities accurately, without geospatial displacement. Utilize the check_date tag to verify the existence of shops, edit buildings, and add entrances with apartment numbers. In micro-mapping mode, you can map every manhole, bench, tree and street lamp, etc. Additionally, pre-load imagery tiles to work offline, ensuring a seamless mapping experience.

Field mapping is the process of collecting geospatial data from the actual location to create more detailed and accurate maps with new information. To help secondary school teachers understand the main concepts and methodology of field mapping, we will break down the process into several key components:

Before we begin the exercise, we have listed potential objects for future mapping below. OpenStreetMap provides a flexible platform for mapping various objects that can be useful for climate change analysis. These objects can be classified into basic, intermediate, and advanced categories based on their complexity and the level of detail required for mapping. Here are some examples of objects in each category:

Basic Objects:

• Land use: Mapping land use categories such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and green spaces helps in understanding the distribution of urban heat islands and other climate-related risks. We can map type of vegetation or crops; land management practices; land cover quality, etc.

  • Key: landuse

    • Tags: landuse=residential, landuse=commercial, landuse=industrial, landuse=agricultural, landuse=greenfield

• Water bodies: Mapping rivers, lakes, ponds, and other water bodies provides insights into water availability, flood risks, and potential areas for natural cooling. We can map water quality indicators (e.g., presence of algae or pollutants); flow rate and direction; bank conditions and stability, etc.

  • Key: natural

    • Tags: natural=water, water=river, water=lake, water=pond

• Trees: Mapping individual trees and groups of trees helps in understanding their role in temperature regulation, shades imapct or humidity retention. We can map tree species; tree age; tree height; health condition, etc.

  • Key: natural

    • Tags: natural=tree Additional attributes: species=* (e.g., species=Quercus_robur), height=, age=, health=*

Intermediate Objects:

• Urban green infrastructure: Mapping elements such as parks, gardens, green roofs, and green walls provides information on the availability and distribution of green spaces that can help mitigate climate change impacts in urban areas. We can map types of vegetation in parks and gardens; green roof/wall installation details (e.g., depth of substrate, plant species); accessibility and usage patterns, etc.

  • Key: leisure

    • Tags: leisure=park, leisure=garden

    • Additional attributes for green roofs/walls: roof:material=green_roof, wall:material=green_wall

• Drainage systems: Mapping stormwater drains, culverts, and retention basins can help assess the capacity of urban areas to manage flooding and heavy rainfall events. We can map material and condition of stormwater drains and culverts; blockages or damage; maintenance practices , etc.

  • Key: man_made

    • Tags: man_made=drain, man_made=culvert

    • Additional attributes: material=, diameter=, condition=*

• Coastal infrastructure: Mapping sea walls, dikes, and other coastal protection structures can help identify areas at risk from sea-level rise and storm surges. We can map construction materials and techniques; condition and age of structures; vulnerability to erosion or storm damage, etc.

  • Key: man_made

    • Tags: man_made=dyke, man_made=seawall

Advanced Objects:

• Climate adaptation measures: Mapping elements such as flood barriers, heat-resistant pavements, and tree planting initiatives can help assess the effectiveness of various climate adaptation strategies. We can map type and effectiveness of flood barriers; heat-resistant pavement materials and installation techniques; tree planting initiatives (e.g., species, planting density, maintenance practices), etc.

  • Key: barrier,

    • Tags: barrier=flood_control

  • Key: surface,

    • Tags: surface=heat_resistant (note: this is not a standard tag, but can be used for custom mapping)

  • Key: landuse,

    • Tags: landuse=forest, landuse=orchard

• Vulnerable populations and infrastructure: Mapping the locations of vulnerable populations (e.g., elderly, low-income, poor and segregated populations) and critical infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, emergency shelters) can help identify areas at higher risk from climate change impacts and inform targeted adaptation measures. We can map accessibility and capacity of emergency shelters; condition and resilience of critical infrastructure; support, services and resources available for vulnerable populations, etc.

  • Key: social_facility,

    • Tags: social_facility=, social_facility:for=

  • Key: amenity,

    • Tags: amenity=shelter, shelter_type=emergency

  • Key: amenity,

    • Tags: amenity=hospital, amenity=school, amenity=fire_station

• Renewable energy infrastructure: Mapping solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy sources can provide insights into the potential for clean energy generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We can map installation details (e.g., capacity, orientation, age); type and model of equipment; maintenance history, etc.

  • Key: power

    • Tags: power=generator

    • Additional attributes: generator:source=solar, generator:source=wind, generator:output=* (e.g., generator:output:electricity)

Remember that OpenStreetMap is a flexible platform, and additional keys and tags can be used or created as needed to represent specific attributes or objects. Always consult the OSM wiki for guidelines and best practices when mapping and tagging objects.

In recent years, climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy, and society. Addressing these challenges requires not only a thorough understanding of the underlying issues but also innovative and accessible tools that enable individuals and communities to take action. This is where the power of open field mapping tools can come into play as one of the possible options.

Understanding the relationship between climate change and geospatial data is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of this global challenge. Geospatial data plays a vital role in monitoring, modeling, and managing the complex interactions between human activities and the environment and thus this data helps to track, analyze, and visualize these factors and their impacts on ecosystems, human settlements, and infrastructure. By providing spatial context and insights, geospatial data enables researchers, policymakers, and communities to make informed decisions and implement effective climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

The content provided in this step-by-step manual incorporates materials developed by Politecnico di Milano, Learn OSM and TeachOSM which are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license.

• Go Map!!:!!

• Vespucci:

• Field Papers:

• Mappilary:

• Haklay, M., & Weber, P. (2008). OpenStreetMap: User-generated street maps. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 7(4), 12-18.

• Neis, P., & Zipf, A. (2012). Analyzing the contributor activity of a volunteered geographic information project — The case of OpenStreetMap. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 1(2), 146-165.

• TeachOSM: A collaborative platform for teaching OpenStreetMap. Retrieved from

• MapComplete: A user-friendly platform for contributing to OpenStreetMap. Retrieved from;

• Foody, G. M., Mooney, P., & See, L. (2015). Current status and future trends in crowd-sourced geographic information. In Crowdsourcing Geographic Knowledge (pp. 1-12). Springer, Dordrecht.

• NASA (2023). GISS Surface Temperature Analysis (v4).

The good preparation process is important. We offer the tags (key=value) which could be added are listed in the table below.

After completing the Mapathon, we use MapComplete to conduct field mapping, focusing on collecting additional tree attributes such as height, type of leaves, and tree species. This step complements the data gathered during the Mapathon, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate representation of the tree distribution in the selected area.

By using the MapComplete platform to carry out this tree mapping exercise, participants will not only gain valuable experience with a user-friendly mapping tool but also contribute to a better understanding of the role of trees in addressing local climate risks.

How to work with MapComplete in your smartphone

is a user-friendly platform designed to make contributing to OpenStreetMap more accessible and enjoyable. It allows users to create custom map themes and offers easy-to-use tools for adding and editing map features. We will provide the step-by-step manual on how to work with MapComplete in your smartphone.

Fig 6: Open the URL .

Fig 7: Log in to the OSM platform. This is important because, without an OSM login, you cannot add any feature. Then click on the "Open the map" icon.

Fig 8: Look around the interface. The main navigation tools are located at the bottom of the screen. At the bottom right, you will see the quick switcher (1) between the OSM map and the Satellite map (note: the source of the satellite map is rendered based on your mapping location). Above it is the "Select layers" icon (2), where you can define a specific background layer for a purpose, for example, if you want to see the cyclopaths tracks. You can also go back to the themes browser here. The "Positions" icon (3) finds your location based on your smartphone's GPS signal. There are zoom in and zoom out icons (4). With the "?" icon (5), you can open the theme options, where you can find a description of the topic, create your own topic, and share the map with colleagues.

Fig 9: Click on the tree near "Click here to add a new item" to add a new tree that is missing.

Fig 10: Click on an existing tree object and edit the tags.

Fig 11: Leaf type (key: leaf_type).

Fig 12: Adjust the position if needed.

Fig 13: What species is this tree? (key: species).

Fig 14: What is the circumference? (key: circumference).

Fig 15: What is the height of this tree? (key: height).

Fig 16: How significant is this tree? (key: denotation).

Fig 17: You can now check all the attributes you have added.

Fig 18: In case you did the test mapping, you can delete the feature.