State of the Map Asia/Bids/2019/Bangladesh
State of the Map 2019 - Dhaka
Welcome to the bid proposal page to host State of the Map Asia 2019, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. State of the Map Asia, the annual conference of OpenStreetMap community around the world arranged by the local communities in the Asian region blended with local flavor of OSM along with sharing ideas from all around the world. In 2019 Bangladesh OpenStreetMap community eagerly awaits you with huge enthusiasm, love & ceremonious festivity.
SotM 2019 - Dhaka vision
We propose that State of the Map Asia - Dhaka will boost the expansion of the OpenStreetMap community in regional context and strengthen the regional associations & cooperation towards sustainability of the platform & the communities. Taking Bangladesh community as a pivot point, with the events and advances that have happened till now in expanding the community, what can be done in order to bring OpenStreetMap to a wider audience? We will start by developing on some incipient topics which have already been discussed in previous SOTMs, such as mobility, resilience, institutionalization of OSM in local regions and local administrations, then look at the current landscape in the participating countries (for example, how location based industries, local governments using OSM as a base for their individual apps & reporting mechanism) and discuss what can be done in the future to adopt OSM at a larger scale in countries which are not as developed as they are in most of the Asia.
Why Dhaka?
The existing community of contributors in Bangladesh are a passionate population. And, yes, it can be called a “population”, because there are quite a large number of us. And one of the most prominent strengths of our community is how diversified we, as individuals, are. People from truly a wide variety of background and with knowledge in uniquely different sectors have come together because they have a common goal – a vision of the future that is a changed world that was unimaginable just a few years ago. Our passion is what drives us towards this goal, which enables us to contribute to the platform in an immense amount. What we have done and are doing is evident in the total contribution of the entirety of the OpenStreetMap platform and related ones. Recently, the super set of global trends has obtained a new element – digital mapping. And from that element have derived a lot of subjects such as navigation, Geo spatial data analysis, map data driven urban & community resilience and so many. The global population has leaned towards it with all its interest and enthusiasm. A number of global corporations have shown interest in it as well. In Bangladesh, the community has advanced keeping pace with the global contributors. Giant steps have been taken from various Government agencies, NGOs, even private sector corporations but there still are innumerable possibilities to explore. Although organizations all over the world have become increasingly interested in utilizing OpenStreetMap platform for the expected deliverable, local organizations are not that much aware of the sector yet. Our outstanding contributions, smaller mapping parties, training sessions & small scale projects has drawn the attention and admiration of the whole world, and the many interested local parties – the latest of which is a good thing. The increasing interest of corporations can encourage even more people to enter this sector and enrich the platform in regional context. In this case, an event such as State of the Map Asia happening in Bangladesh would make local stakeholders, donors aware of the immense potential of the local community and the future contributors that can be harvested to strengthening the regional boost too. Using up the growing interest of our year long connections & followers in the Government & other stakeholder level we are sure to take the event to the next level from where the event can make the difference to what may come next.
Who is the SotM Asia Dhaka Team?
OpenStreetMap Bangladesh Foundation the registered non-profit organization spearheading all the community driven initiatives related to OpenStreetMap in Bangladesh will be the core organizer for the State of the Map Asia 2019 in Bangladesh with the usual support from the rest of the community.
It was back in 2011, OSM was introduced in Bangladesh. A working group was formed led by a group of students from Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET) to kick-start the platform. Some of them later became inactive, gradually. But a small active group of volunteers was working to make it a success in Bangladesh, and the participation was growing slowly. Later in the year of 2013, The World Bank, Bangladesh (GFDRR, WSP), revived the initiative. The World Bank GIS and Data Management Consultant, Mr. Ahasanul Hoque pioneered it. This was likely to mean a change in the pace of progress for the OSM Platform in Bangladesh. Some formal training sessions were introduced and the community did some good bit of works by mapping the old part of Dhaka city. However, it was from 2015 the community found the spark it was thriving for! In January 2015, the OSMBD community started to collaborate with HOT and Missing Maps project of mapping Kamrangircha and Hazaribagh, two of the most densely populated urban slum area of Dhaka city. That was the moment from when the community started making the vibe. More and more people were introduced to the platform. Formal training sessions at educational institutions, different development organization, Government organizations along with informal mapping parties were organized. The trainings were facilitated by OSMBD community led by Mr. Ahasanul Hoque. In last two eventful years, the community collaborated with organizations like Asia Foundation, Stanford Geo-spatial Center, Save the Children in Bangladesh, American Red Cross, Y Care, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Dhaka WASA, FAO and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in their projects related to the OSM Platform. With the aim of bringing all the awesome works done in various sectors under the same wing, different enthusiastic and expert individuals from a variety of backgrounds joined together to build this organization.
Organizational Contact: OpenStreetMap Bangladesh Foundation H#29, Sarah Aftab Tower, Ring Road, Shyamoli, Dhaka
The following persons who will be primarily liable for coordination level responsibilities:
1.Ahasanul Hoque (OSMBDF)
E-mail:hoque.ahasan@gmail.com Cell: +8801784-398739
2.Tasauf A Baki Billah (OSMBDF)
E-mail: tasauf1980@gmail.com Cell: +8801741-589653
The rest of the core team:
- Md. Shafiqul Islam (OSMBDF)
- Md. Atikuzzaman Limon (OSMBDF)
- Md. Fakir Arif Hossen (OSMBDF)
- Md. Shahadat Hossain (OSMBDF)
- Jatan Kumar Saha (OSMBDF)
- S.M. Sawan Shariar (Youth Mappers Dhaka College)
- Atikur Rahman (Youth Mappers Dhaka College)
- Bangladesh Open Innovation Lab (Team BHOOT)
- YouthMappers Dhaka College
- YouthMappers at Dhaka University
- YouthMappers at Eastern university
When?
The specific dates for the event shall be determined upon discussion. Our proposal for the event to be held within the time span of October-November, 2019.
Where? - Dhaka College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The main venue proposed is 150 years old Dhaka College in Dhaka, which is very close to the town center, Heritage Old Dhaka, Dhaka University campus, Dhaka New Market & other scenic places such as the Ramna Park, Lalbag Fort, Dhanmondi Lake and many more. Moreover the college has one of the most active Youth Mappers Chapter in the globe. We have planned the conference with 2 available Auditoriums for the conference, which will allow us to hold at least 2 separate tracks. More spacious class rooms rooms are available if we decide to hold more conference tracks.
The main auditorium at Dhaka College one holds up to 300 people. It will come with a projector to which almost any device can be connected, and a professional sound system developed for presentations.
The second auditorium can hold up to 200 people. This is also equipped with presentation tech (projector + microphone) and is tiered, allowing easy access to the room and individual seats.
in a brief the rooms will look like:
| Room Identification | Capacity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Auditorium (Dhaka College) | 300+ | Can be used for hosting main events. |
| Teacher’s Lounge(DC) | 50+ | Suitable for panel discussion and Meetings |
| Auditorium 1 (NAEM) | 200 | For large sessions |
| Small Auditorium 2 (NAEM) | 20+ | Panel Discussion |
| Classroom (NAEM) | 40+ | General talk, discussion |
**There will be free Wi-Fi facility to the participant of the program.**
Outside vendors for food service delivery shall be bought under contract by evaluating their capacity of service, food safety and environment. The quality of service and food shall be given highest priority in terms of selecting vendor. The service type of food will be buffet
Cost Estimation of the event days in Venue:
| Event Day | Venue Rent | Food | Accommodation | Person Count(Est) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 1200$ | 6000$ (15$ per person) | 120$ (For Scholarship Holders)*50=6000$ | 400 |
| Day 2 | 1200$ | 6000$ (15$ per person) | 120$ (For Scholarship Holders)*50=6000$ | 400 |
| Total | 2400$ | 12000$ | 12000$ | 26400$ |
Accommodation:
Within the area of 2 km there are plenty of hotels for accommodation purpose which provides a very good quality of service. There are two hotels rated as 5 Star (Pan Pacific Sonargaon, The Intercontinental). Moreover, there are a 4 star hotel and several 3 star hotels within a kilometer to the venue.
Social Events
Events which could happen any time, no matter when the conference is held
- Old Dhaka Historical
- Roaming around Charukola, Dhaka University campus
- Hang around at Lalbagh Fort
- Clubbing at nearby Pubs
- Evening Hang around at lively TSC, Charukola at Dhaka University Campus.
Seasonal Events may also happen:
- Poush Mela
- Dhaka Lit Fest
- Victory Day
Transportation
The airport is situated within the 15 km distance of the venue. There are multiple ways of as mode of transport. Taxi cab, Private car service are available from the airport. Moreover, ride sharing service like Uber, Pathao is available here in Bangladesh which ensures safety for the passengers. On demand transport service can also be arranged from the hosts & Hotels. For local transports traditional Rickshaw along with all other motorized vehicles are available in cheap.
International
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) is the main airport for Dhaka, with most flights arriving there.
Rail
If you are an Indian citizen & would prefer travelling by train, several Moitree Express & Shouhardo Express trains arrives at Kamalapur Railway Station from Kolkata, India.
Surface
Buses can be used by the Indian citizens travelling from Kolkata.
Visa details
As a sovereign state, Bangladesh requires all foreigners to obtain permission to enter its territory. Visas are issued by Bangladesh missions located throughout the world or on arrival to Bangladesh. Extensions are available at the Department of Immigration and Passport of Bangladesh, and fees vary by country. Most foreigners require a Bangladesh visa to enter Bangladesh. citizens arriving from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and the countries of Europe may issue visa on arrival after examining and being satisfied by the immigration authority at the Airports and Land Ports.
Please notice that all the prices are subject to change and we'll do our best to update them in a timely fashion if that happens
Welcome to the Land of Hospitality
The city of Dhaka has a history of age old past trace back to the reign of Mughals. There are many things to explore here in Dhaka and you will be amazed by the diversity of life of people and their hospitality. Travelling to Bangladesh will surely be a intriguing indeed for the ones attending the event.