Calling Joburg's young developers: enter GeoJozi Developer Challenge

If you are a developer with an interest in apps, maps, data, urban development or cities then enter this competition which focuses on location technology.

It is being run for the first time this year by the City in partnership with Wits University’s Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and mapping software company, Esri South Africa.

Across the world, street addresses and location are used as fundamental tools for managing cities. But with rapid urbanisation, local governments face increasingly complex and fast-changing urban landscapes that need to be effectively managed and to serve their residents.

Prof Barry Dwolatzky, Director of JCSE at Wits University says that as the world becomes more digitised, this creates opportunities for creating smart cities, modern urban development and 21st century city management.

“We are calling on young Johannesburg-based software developers to work with the City to help improve the allocation, maintenance and visibility of street addresses across our City.”

The GeoJozi Challenge will be hosted in Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, the City’s newest high-tech address.

The winning solution will earn its creator R150,000. Second and third places are worth R100,000 and R50,000 respectively. The winning ideas may also be implemented by the City of Johannesburg.

Patrick McKivergan, managing director of Esri South Africa, says: “This initiative will encourage young developers to develop their skills in location technology. As the technology partner of the GeoJozi Challenge, Esri will be providing the location platform on which the GeoJozi contestants will develop their solutions. It will consist of toolkits for the development and data on which the contestants can base their solutions for the street addresses and location issues. We are right behind the City’s efforts to create location awareness. Entrants will also receive free training and great learning opportunities.”

Developers need to register on www.geojozi.joburg by 31 August 2016.

Website: www.geojozi.joburg
Social Media: #GeoJozi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GeoJozi
Twitter: @HackGeoJozi