SLUMAP (Remote Sensing for Slum Mapping and Characterization in sub-Saharan African Cities) is a research project funded by the STEREO-III programme of the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO), a collaboration between IGEAT Anageo, Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) and ITC, University of Twente (Netherlands).

The overall objective of SLUMAP is to develop an open-source framework that allows for the processing of remote sensing images for (i) providing information on the location and extension of slums within a city and (ii) characterizing the physical environment within slums (i.e., in terms of greenness, built-up density, etc.) at limited cost. Our first pilots will use three sub-Saharan cities containing slums with different characteristics, namely Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Nairobi (Kenya) and Kisumu (Kenya).

The project focuses on the development of low-cost solutions to use remote sensing images employing state-of-the-art classification methodologies, embedded in a free open source software (FOSS) semi-automated processing chain. Moreover, a stakeholder needs and requirements assessment at the community, local, national and international level will be done to facilitate science-based policy-making.

SLUMAP is part of the IDEAMAPS Network, and strongly engaged in the evolving collaboration among “slum” community mappers, government statisticians, spatial data scientists, and others aiming to integrate our methods to map deprived areas routinely and accurately at scale.