Prizes galore in the City’s GeoJozi Developer Challenge

12 August 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg is calling on all developers with an interest in apps, maps, data, urban development and cities to enter the first GeoJozi Developer Challenge.

 

The location technology challenge seeks to uncover new and innovative digital solutions to help the City improve its location and address maintenance systems.

The City is running the competition in partnership with Wits University’s Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and mapping software company Esri SA. Open to developers under the age of 30, the GeoJozi Developer Challenge will be hosted at Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein. 

The creator of the winning solution will become R150 000 richer, while the second- and third- placed entrants will walk away with R100 000 and R50 000 respectively. 
The winning ideas might be implemented in the City’s operations.

“Addresses and locations are essential for the efficiency of a high functioning city. The City of Johannesburg is calling for innovative solutions that will help citizens realise the vital importance of street addresses and optimise the power of location. Street addresses specify points of service delivery. They are essential for electricity, water, refuse, sewage, emergency services, land ownership, parcel deliveries, safety and security, being able to vote and countless other critical services and functions. A street address can save a life,” said the City’s Director of Corporate Geo-Informatics, Marcelle Hattingh. Hattingh said data released by the United Nations last year projected that 71.3% of South Africa’s population would live in urban areas by 2030 and nearly 80% by 2050.

“This puts the need for innovative street addresses and location solutions in the spotlight,” said Hattingh.

JCSE Director Prof Barry Dwolatzky said digital solutions were the way of the future.

“As the world becomes more digitised, more real time data about cities is becoming available. This data can help to manage cities better and make them smarter. A street address informs us of location, and this is where Geographic Information Systems comes in. It’s all about a specific position or the coordinates on earth,” said JCSE Director Professor Barry Dwolatzky.

Entries close on 31 August 2016. To register log onto www.geojozi.joburg. Follow the GeoJozi Challenge on Facebook and Twitter.