Lagos traffic vs. open data: Inside Hannah Kates’ project to map waterways

Hannah Kates’ journey illustrates that effective civic tech requires shifting from technical execution to upstream policy influence. Her transition from environmental engineering to urban planning revealed that lasting impact depends on data-driven decision-making rather than reactive problem-solving. By leveraging code to automate analysis, she demonstrates that technology serves best as an enabling tool for transparency and efficiency, highlighting the critical need for actionable data in governance. Kates’ work in Lagos underscores the practical challenges of open data implementation, particularly in contexts where public trust is scarce and data quality is inconsistent. Her development of the Lagos Ferry Map exposes the gap between official records and on-the-ground realities, such as the informal schedules of transport services. This effort emphasizes that open data must go beyond mere publication; it requires intuitive visualization and rigorous field verification to ensure usability and reliability for everyday citizens. Ultimately, this narrative redefines open data as a democratic necessity that bridges the information gap between governments and communities. Kates advocates for accessible, user-friendly data formats that empower both private and public sectors to make informed decisions about infrastructure and population needs. Her approach highlights the importance of community engagement and trust-building in civic tech, showing that accessible information is vital for fostering accountability and improving urban living standards in developing economies.

Source: techcabal.com
Published on 2025-12-04

Lagos traffic vs. open data: Inside Hannah Kates’ project to map waterways

Related news