Cloud to Street is the leading dynamic flood mapping system designed to enable the world's most vulnerable communities to prepare for and respond to climate catastrophes. We harness global satellites, machine learning, and community intelligence to monitor floods in near realtime around the world and remotely analyze local flood exposure at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional flood mapping. Our mission is to ensure that all vulnerable governments can finally access the high quality information they need to prepare and respond to increasing catastrophes. Today 11 national governments are using Cloud to Street and we are on track to enable new flood protection and insurance for 10 million people in the next 5 years.
We are currently partnering with The World Food Programme in Sri Lanka to provide an online decision support tool and flood alert system for the national government.
Core challenge:
One of the primary functions of the Cloud to Street platform is to deliver actionable information in a user-friendly way quickly enough for decision making. As Cloud to Street begins to operate in an increasing number of regions, we are constantly in tension between making the platform scalable and replicable while also allowing for enough customization to address users’ unique needs. Moreover, with scientific advancement at Cloud to Street continues, we need to integrate new analyses and data pipelines into the existing platform.
We are looking for help from a software developer to help scale and improve the backend architecture and user interface of the Cloud to Street Platform. Operating the platform in many places requires the infrastructure to be robust and efficient and include all necessary monitoring tools to ensure uninterrupted service. In addition, we need help adding features into our user-interface based on client feedback and an ongoing user-experience evaluation.
Current organization tech stack
Python backend on Google Compute Engine with automated tasks manage with Cloud Scheduler, data stored in Google Cloud Storage and reporting logs sent to Slack
Data processing either done on GCE VM with GDAL or in Google Earth Engine
Angular front-end with OpenLayers for web mapping, multi-tenant hosting managed with Firebase for custom deployments in multiple regions at once
Project 1 - Architecture Review
Description
Review platform architecture and make improvements to processing workflows. Help make software more portable and easily replicable by standardizing and automating project setup process and using tools such as Docker. Adding additional system monitoring tools.
Skills
Python
Automated workflows in Google Cloud Ecosystem (GCE, GCS, Cloud Scheduler)
Docker
Impact
This will help us address issues limiting the number of deployments we can operate at once and ensure reliable operation for the clients as we scale to more regions.
Timeline
August through September
Project 2 - Frontend Data Visualization Support
Description
Iterate on user interface for data visualization and delivery. Add features to user interface for controlling how layers appear, data visualization and data interaction. Make interface more user friendly by adding a site tour, tool tips, and adjusting application workflow based on input from users and user experience director. Making some features of the platform more customizable per location. Add the ability to visualize cloud optimized GeoTiffs on web map. Lastly, many of our clients are in developing countries with limited bandwidth, so we need help optimizing load speed and minimizing latency in low-bandwidth settings.
Skills
Angular
Firebase and Cloudflare
OpenLayers and geospatial data visualization
Impact
These additions will help make our tool more usable by developing nations for decision making in real time and planning.
Timeline
August through September
Project 3 - Data Processing Improvements
Description
Improve data processing performance and database structure. This task involves adding parallelized computing to increase processing efficiency, switching raster format to cloud optimized GeoTiffs for data analysis, delivery, and visualization. This also involves building a more structured database architecture (currently in Google Cloud Storage) with different types of data in different formats for easier querying, organization, and delivery.
Skills
Python
Cloud and high performance computing
Geospatial analysis
Firebase and Google Cloud Platform
Impact
This will have a direct impact on how frequently we can monitor zones that are at risk and inform relevant stakeholders.
Timeline
August through October
What to expect?
We have a current dashboard and other communications processes, as well as a high level strategy document outlining the goals of the user’s experience of our product. We expect the volunteer to do a thorough review of our dashboard and other communications to the Sri Lankan government by using our material and talking with us. We’d also like a few sessions where they lead us through questions we should consider when researching our users. They should iteratively provide suggestions over the phone, in writing and as drawn wireframes that we can immediately develop and test out with user. Ideally, we would do 2-3 rounds of build, test, feedback with the volunteer.
Next Steps
You love this organization and their projects? Send us an email at hello@oviohub.com now and we will introduce you to the team after reviewing your profile!
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Cloud to Street (for WFP):
Cloud to Street is the leading dynamic flood mapping system designed to enable the world's most vulnerable communities to prepare for and respond to climate catastrophes. We harness global satellites, machine learning, and community intelligence to monitor floods in near realtime around the world and remotely analyze local flood exposure at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional flood mapping. Our mission is to ensure that all vulnerable governments can finally access the high quality information they need to prepare and respond to increasing catastrophes. Today 11 national governments are using Cloud to Street and we are on track to enable new flood protection and insurance for 10 million people in the next 5 years.
We are currently partnering with The World Food Programme in Sri Lanka to provide an online decision support tool and flood alert system for the national government.
Core challenge:
One of the primary functions of the Cloud to Street platform is to deliver actionable information in a user-friendly way quickly enough for decision making. As Cloud to Street begins to operate in an increasing number of regions, we are constantly in tension between making the platform scalable and replicable while also allowing for enough customization to address users’ unique needs. Moreover, with scientific advancement at Cloud to Street continues, we need to integrate new analyses and data pipelines into the existing platform.
We are looking for help from a software developer to help scale and improve the backend architecture and user interface of the Cloud to Street Platform. Operating the platform in many places requires the infrastructure to be robust and efficient and include all necessary monitoring tools to ensure uninterrupted service. In addition, we need help adding features into our user-interface based on client feedback and an ongoing user-experience evaluation.
Current organization tech stack
Project 1 - Architecture Review
Description
Review platform architecture and make improvements to processing workflows. Help make software more portable and easily replicable by standardizing and automating project setup process and using tools such as Docker. Adding additional system monitoring tools.
Skills
Impact This will help us address issues limiting the number of deployments we can operate at once and ensure reliable operation for the clients as we scale to more regions.
Timeline August through September
Project 2 - Frontend Data Visualization Support
Description Iterate on user interface for data visualization and delivery. Add features to user interface for controlling how layers appear, data visualization and data interaction. Make interface more user friendly by adding a site tour, tool tips, and adjusting application workflow based on input from users and user experience director. Making some features of the platform more customizable per location. Add the ability to visualize cloud optimized GeoTiffs on web map. Lastly, many of our clients are in developing countries with limited bandwidth, so we need help optimizing load speed and minimizing latency in low-bandwidth settings.
Skills
Impact These additions will help make our tool more usable by developing nations for decision making in real time and planning.
Timeline August through September
Project 3 - Data Processing Improvements
Description Improve data processing performance and database structure. This task involves adding parallelized computing to increase processing efficiency, switching raster format to cloud optimized GeoTiffs for data analysis, delivery, and visualization. This also involves building a more structured database architecture (currently in Google Cloud Storage) with different types of data in different formats for easier querying, organization, and delivery.
Skills
Impact This will have a direct impact on how frequently we can monitor zones that are at risk and inform relevant stakeholders.
Timeline August through October
What to expect?
We have a current dashboard and other communications processes, as well as a high level strategy document outlining the goals of the user’s experience of our product. We expect the volunteer to do a thorough review of our dashboard and other communications to the Sri Lankan government by using our material and talking with us. We’d also like a few sessions where they lead us through questions we should consider when researching our users. They should iteratively provide suggestions over the phone, in writing and as drawn wireframes that we can immediately develop and test out with user. Ideally, we would do 2-3 rounds of build, test, feedback with the volunteer.
Next Steps