mundo-maps

Getting Started

• mundo-maps is a software that operates based on very simple mechanisms and rules.
• By using mundo-maps, you can quickly create digital maps that highlight any geospatial concerns in a specific area.

Requirements

• Node.js v18 or v20
• npm

That is all you need!

Let's launch the mundo-maps now!

Running mundo-maps is really, really easy! Seeing is believing!

npm run ci
npm run dev

Run above commands, then open http://localhost:3000/

You should see mundo-maps is working on your machine!

You can stop dev server by Ctrl + C.

Quick example - Let's do it now!

• YAML file missions/Taito-ku/overpass.yml is a demonstration and trial purpose
• This YAML file define contents of the http://localhost:3000/missions/Taito-ku
• For example,
  • Remove toilets definition
  • Append post_office definition
  • After modifying or adding the overpass.yml file, run the npm run fetch-overpass command
  • When append newer concern definition, you need to edit src/const/ConcernLayerList.ts file

What is this?

• mundo-maps is part of the MUNDO project.
  • MUNDO is developed by the Smart Maps team of the UN Open GIS Initiative's Domain Working Group 7.
• MUNDO stands for "Model United Nations Development and Operations".
  • MUNDO is a model United Nations focusing on UN peacekeeping and development programs.
• MUNDO aims to enhance situational awareness in geospatial contexts for UN peacekeeping and development programs through OSS development.
• mundo-maps specifically focuses on simulating the development and operation of geospatial information systems in the UN.
• mundo-maps is based on open data sources such as OpenStreetMap and ReliefWeb.

Why is MUNDO necessary?

• The United Nations actively encourages the development of open-source software (OSS).
• However, much of the actual data within the UN is managed and not generally available to the public.
• Additionally, it is not always clear what software or data the UN is seeking.
• Therefore, MUNDO aims to explore the requirements for software and data within the UN by conducting a model UN based on open data.
• Through these simulations, the goal is to develop more useful OSS.

What can MUNDO do?

• mundo-maps is a software that operates based on very simple mechanisms and rules.
• By using mundo-maps, you can quickly create digital maps that highlight any geospatial concerns in a specific area.
  • This enhances geospatial situational awareness, such as "where is someone now," "what is in a certain location," and "what is happening there now."
  • mundo-maps can be used not only by the United Nations but also by local governments and NGOs to enhance geospatial situational awareness.
• Check out the specific examples of mundo-maps's use in UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan) through the following URL and screenshots.

https://mundo.yuiseki.net/missions/UNMISS

Display military and UN-related facilities in the Republic of South Sudan.

Display medical facilities in the Republic of South Sudan.

Display closed roads in Republic of South Sudan

Display areas of armed conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

How does it work?

Defining Regions and Concerns

• First, in a YAML file, define the target regions to be displayed on the map and the concerns to be addressed
  • This YAML file is used to retrieve data from OpenStreetMap
    • mundo-maps retrieves data from OpenStreetMap through the Overpass API
  • To see what is possible, refer to the overpass.yml file in the existing ./missions/${missionName}/ directory
  • To add new missions or regions, simply create a new directory in ./missions/${missionName}/ and add an overpass.yml file
• After modifying or adding the overpass.yml file, run the npm run fetch-overpass command
  • This command searches for all overpass.yml files in the ./missions/${missionName}/ directory, calls the Overpass API based on their contents, and saves the results in the public/data directory.

Handling "Temporary Concerns"

• mundo-maps uses OpenStreetMap as its primary source of geographic information, as mentioned earlier.
  • If the information you want to add is publicly available and complies with OpenStreetMap's policies, you should contribute to OpenStreetMap.
  • However, OpenStreetMap is a public system used by many users, and consistent policies must be followed.
  • Therefore, adding information to OpenStreetMap may not always be appropriate.
• In particular, OpenStreetMap has a policy of not handling "temporary information."
  • Temporary information includes events, accidents, disasters, conflicts, and so on.
  • mundo-maps refers to this type of information as "temporary concerns."
• mundo-maps has a mechanism for overwriting OpenStreetMap data as needed, allowing it to handle these "temporary concerns."
  • By specifying an OpenStreetMap ID in a YAML file, you can overwrite temporary information while basing the map on OpenStreetMap data.
  • To see what is possible, look at the incidents and road_closed directories in the existing ./missions/${missionName}/ directory.
  • To add new incident information, simply create a ./missions/${missionName}/incidents/${year}/${month}/${day} directory and add a ${OpenStreetMapId}.yml file.
  • To add new road closure information, simply create a ./missions/${missionName}/road_closed/${year}/${month}/${day} directory and add a ${OpenStreetMapId}.yml file.
• After modifying or adding a YAML file, run the npm run fetch-overpass command.
  • This command searches for all ${openStreetMapId}.yml files in the ./missions/${missionName}/incidents directory, calls the Overpass API based on their contents, overwrites the contents based on the YAML file, and saves the results to the public/data directory.

Handling of Classified Data

• mundo-map is capable of handling classified data, in addition to other types of data.
  • For example, mundo-maps can display several types of vector tile maps that are built for internal use within the United Nations as base maps.
  • These maps are restricted and can only be accessed by users who are connected to the UN intranet and have the appropriate viewing permissions.
• Similarly, mundo-maps has the technical capability to restrict access to sensitive information and display it only to a limited number of users.

Known Issues and Development Limitations

• "Temporary concerns" added as YAML files will not automatically disappear from the map even if the situation changes over time.
  • Therefore, there is a possibility that incorrect or outdated information may be displayed.
  • In the future, metadata such as the final confirmation date will be added to the YAML file to express that temporary concerns have continued or been resolved.