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Experiences and Lessonsâ–¶
1. Project Planning and Management2. Geospatial Mapping and EA Database3. Enumeration Instruments and Tools4. Data Capture and Management5. Census Testing and Pilots6. Recruitment and Training7. Deployment and Supervision8. Enumeration and Logistics9. Quality Assurance and Risk Management10. Census Analysis and Products11. Partnerships and Collaboration12. Advocacy and Publicity13. Procurement and Financial Management14. Post-Enumeration Survey15. Alternative Approaches16. Planning Checklist
Case Studiesâ–¶
1. Project Planning and Management2. Geospatial Mapping3. Enumeration Instruments4. Data Capture5. Census Testing6. Recruitment and Training7. Deployment and Supervision8. Enumeration and Logistics9. Quality Assurance10. Census Analysis11. Partnerships12. Advocacy13. Procurement14. Post-Enumeration Survey15. Alternative Approaches16. Planning Checklist
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Development and implementation of digital cartographic mapping instruments and tools​

The tools developed for digital cartographic mapping, have various uses in the Census process: sensitisation, field mapping activities, verification, instructions manuals, digitisation schemas, map templates, and map editing, production and verification. In development and finalisation of these tools and instruments, most countries benchmarked and got inputs and assistance from other countries that had undertaken digital census mapping.

The cartographic tools for census mapping should be able to assign a unique geographical coding and identification system to all census entities to avoid omissions or duplication.

Defining geospatial products and attributes

It is important to define the attributes that will need to be collected as part of the digital cartographic mapping prior to commencing mapping activities. This should be informed by countries’ unique peculiarities and data user needs. This includes peculiar characteristics that may affect census enumeration operation (such as topographic or terrain features; the expected population density) or how census statistics and dynamics will be disaggregated or disseminated as census data outputs. Having an idea of the intended output up-front, guides the choice of the best application and the questions to use in capturing the data.

The digital tools used for data collection, processing, production of maps and storage of the repository geospatial data, determines how the digital products are integrated into other digital architecture used by the NSO for census. The cost for carrying out mapping activities should also be factored into how these attributes are define or scaled.

Prioritisation of the most important cartographic features is important for ensuring the scale of the digital mapping undertaken is not expanded. The inclusion of many stakeholder’s requests risks changing the project from a typical cartographic exercise to a statistical undertaking. This potentially slows down the mapping exercise and affects the entire timing of the census activities.

Pilot mapping

Pilot mapping is recommended to test the preparedness of the NSO to undertake the main cartographic mapping process. The aim is to test the validity and reliability of methodology, tools, and equipment to be used in the main cartographic mapping process. The findings from the pilot will inform the finalisation of tools, instruments, and methodology. The pilot mapping process entails testing the suitability of the tools, logistical arrangements, assessment of the workload, providing a basis for NSOs to mobilise resources and plan for an effective implementation of the process to ensure acquisition of high quality data sets.

While planning for a digital cartographic mapping pilot, it is important to consider the terrain, type of settlement patterns (urban, rural, hard to reach, arid and semi-arid lands) to enable effective testing of processes. See also Census Testing and Pilots.

Using base maps or cartographic resources already available can assist this process. Working with geospatial authorities in the country to adopt best practice for tools and methods can also help with reducing the cost of pilot and field operation activities while not compromising on the quality. Where newer technologies and resources are being integrated into cartographic activities, such as the use of satellite imagery, pilot mapping should include some testing of the quality of outputs and if these meet assumptions regarding the production of EAs and other geospatial content.

Publicity and advocacy for cartographic mapping

Publicity and advocacy for cartographic mapping is done to create awareness of the activity and seek support for the main cartographic mapping and census enumeration. During publicity NSOs seek collaboration, support, involvement, and ownership of the grassroot stakeholders and local leadership. The roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders are also established. See also Advocacy, Publicity and Resource Mobilization.

Field data collection for cartographic mapping

Field data collection for digital cartographic mapping entails use of mobile technology to collect spatial data (GPS coordinates for structures, households, features such as schools, hospitals, churches, etc.) to be used in delineation of EAs. Most countries embraced the use of mobile technology to capture the spatial data and transmit it to the central servers for map production.

Map production

After the mapping data is collected and sent to the central servers, a team of GIS technicians are engaged to undertake digitisation of the EAs (EA map production). During map production, the census geo-file is developed to be used during the provision of tablets, enumeration, and geospatial data analysis.

Map production is implemented in two stages.

Stage 1:

  • Digitisation of Country’s administrative boundaries; as frame for EA delineation.
  • EA boundary digitisation according to the geospatial data collected on the field, delineation rules and established coding and identification system. Creation of the EA attribute data (geography file - geo-file).
  • Preparation of EA maps (map compilation) in digital or hard copy (depending on adopted methodology i.e., fully digital or hybrid).

Stage 2:

  • Data cleaning, tiling, rendering and cloud deployment or effecting changes from field verification, updating the geo-file.
  • Preparation of the final EA map (PDF format).
  • Printing of final maps for enumeration according to the methodology adopted: digital or hybrid respectively.

Delineation of EAs should consider the distance, number of households or population threshold that can be covered by the enumerator within the stipulated census enumeration period.

EA Map verification

EA map verification is the process of undertaking field verification of the boundaries of the created EAs by the local administration before the maps are finalized for census enumeration. At the end of the delineation process, it is necessary to assess the accuracy of the maps, completeness of the mapping, household size and to verify EA boundaries. EA map verification is therefore aimed at reducing the EA boundary errors before the maps can be used. The verification process provides an opportunity to review, inspect, check, audit, establish and document whether EA maps reflected the actual situation on the ground.