Makerere University School of Public Health – Resilient Africa Network (RAN) in collaboration with AidData Center for Development Policy (AidData – USA); Partner Development Lab under the Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) is pleased to invite you to the Fourth Annual GIS Hackathon that will take place on Friday, 28th July 2017 from 8:00am – 6:00pm at the RAN Innovation Lab (Plot 28 Upper Kololo Terrace opposite Kololo Airstrip in Kampala Uganda).

The Problem

More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. Kampala currently has a population of 1.5 million (night population). As more and more people move to Kampala and other cities in Uganda resources, infrastructure and services are stretched beyond capacity. According to SDG 11 making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport and other public services, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive. The year’s theme for the RAN-AidData Hackathon- “Hack4TheCity” is based on SDG 11, which looks at making cities and human settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable.

​Participants will form teams of 5 individuals who will compete to create web and mobile applications, web maps, GIS apps, or static maps to address a specific challenge with a concentration on the use of spatial visualization and analysis.

Sub Theme 1: Management of infrastructure in urban spaces

According to the UN, more than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that figure will have risen to 6.5 billion people – two-thirds of all humanity. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our cities. This theme seeks to address the emerging/new infrastructure (housing, roads) as well as the managing or upgrading the existing infrastructure.

Sub Theme 2: Enhancing service delivery in urban spaces

The increasing population in urban areas has resulted into an increased burden on the existing services and has also reduced access to the same. This theme seeks to identify innovative ways to enhance service delivery in urban areas. These services might include waste management, improved health services (access and delivery), fire prevention, rescue services and education, among others.

Who can participate?

ALL disciplines are eligible to participate, as RAN adopts and promotes a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. Relevant experience is highly appreciated including (but not limited to) GIS mapping, software development, young innovators/entrepreneurs, recent graduates and students.

Shortlisted participants shall not exceed more than 35 (equivalent to 7 teams).

The winning team in first place will receive $250, the second team $150 and the team in third place will receive $100 as support towards further developing these ideas for the benefit of those in need. The judges will represent several organizations, including RAN, Makerere University and AidData. Please do not miss yet another exciting coding session with other GIS enthusiasts!

 Apply here  before Wednesday 26th July,2017