The evolution of humanitarian mapping in OpenStreetMap (OSM) and how it affects map completeness and inequalities in OSM

Mapping efforts of communities in OpenStreetMap (OSM) over the previous  decade have created a unique global geographic database, which is  accessible to all with no licensing costs. The collaborative maps of OSM  have been used to support humanitarian efforts around the world as well  as to fill important data gaps for implementing major development  frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Besides the  well-examined Global North - Global South bias in OSM, the OSM data as  of 2023 shows a much more spatially diverse spread pattern than  previously considered, which was shaped by regional, socio-economic and  demographic factors across several scales. Humanitarian mapping efforts  of the previous decade have already made OSM more inclusive,  contributing to diversify and expand the spatial footprint of the areas  mapped. However, methods to quantify and account for the remaining  biases in OSM’s coverage are needed so that researchers and  practitioners will be able to draw the right conclusions, e .g. about  progress towards the SDGs in cities.