The Sketch Map Tool was used in Cartagena, Chile, to collect geographic information for effective disaster risk reduction. It is an easy-to-use tool for participatory sketch mapping through offline collection,…
This study evaluates the applicability of macro-scale energy poverty indices in an urban context, using Santiago de Chile as a case study. Energy poverty (EP), understood as the inability of…
Walking supports healthy aging, but older adults often prioritize safety and comfort over speed. This study uses a scoping review to examine these preferences and guide age-inclusive routing systems. Walking…
As summer temperatures soar, being outdoors poses rising health risks, especially in urban areas and for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and citizen with pre-existing conditions. The HEAL project…
In June 2025, researchers from the Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC) and HeiGIT (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology) carried out a joint field trip to Colombia to strengthen participatory mapping…
The ohsomeNow Stats dashboard has been updated to enhance its visual and functional elements. This facilitates the exploration of OpenstreetMap (OSM) mapping activities across space and time. New H3 hexagon…
The Sketch Map Tool was used in a joint effort between the Honduran Red Cross and the municipal government to update the municipal response plan and develop an annex focused…
A recent study has demonstrated a novel approach to the large-scale monitoring of road traffic. Rather than relying on radar or mobile sensors, the team used PlanetScope’s Super Dove satellite…
The study presents a detailed analysis of walking access to key built environment assets linked to the social determinants of health. Using openrouteservice, it examines spatial inequalities in access to…
A new version of ohsome-planet (codename “Sjælland”) has been released. It is the newest version of HeiGIT´s command line tool, which transforms OpenStreetMap (history) PBF files into into an analysis-ready…
Searching for early warning systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers explored how digital data sources such as geo-social media (e.g. posts on platforms like X, formerly Twitter, that include…
A study published on ScienceDirect evaluates the capability of LLMs to mimic human-like decision-making patterns in parking scenarios. Through experiments, researchers reproduce realistic trade-offs between cost, distance, and availability, while…
The HeiGIT team is once again participating in the nationwide cycling initiative STADTRADELN. For 21 days, teams across Germany record their bicycle trips, raising awareness for climate protection, sustainable mobility,…
Artificial Intelligence holds great promise for strengthening Anticipatory Action by improving hazard forecasting, vulnerability mapping, and decision support, but must be tailored to real-world humanitarian contexts to really be of…
What is ORSTools? With ORSTools, most of the functionalities of openrouteservice are directly accessible in QGIS. The plugin offers a toolset, including routing, isochrone generation and matrix calculations. These functions…
The enhanced ohsomeNow Stats dashboard now provides near real-time access to all OpenStreetMap contributions since 2005, enabling more flexible and detailed analysis of global mapping activities. ohsomeNow stats provides a…
Students of the Institute of Geography at Heidelberg University explored local perceptions of urban heat in Heidelberg’s old town as part of a 2024 seminar on GIS for Disaster Risk…
This project explores how OpenStreetMap data can complement satellite imagery for tracking land cover changes in Germany. Using a small test area, we compare datasets over time to better understand…
This study, published at African Transport Studies, investigates the impact of school sessions on traffic congestion in Nairobi, highlighting how children’s mobility needs are often overlooked in transport planning. The…
What does a climate-neutral, livable city look like – and what concrete actions can help us get there? The new Climate Action Navigator (CAN) from HeiGIT (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation…
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Background imagery created with data from OpenStreetMap contributors