CRC TRR 228 Project Z02
Z02 Data Management and Services (INF)
Z02 Data Management and Services (INF)
Project Summary
In the third phase, the Z02 research and service activities will focus on three main areas: (i) maintaining and further developing the TRR228 Database (TRR228DB), (ii) acquiring and analysing remote sensing, geo-, and historic topographical data, and (iii) developing and implementing a static version of the TRR228DB, known as the “TRR228DB-Box”, to ensure a post-funding accessibility of the project data. Ongoing collaboration with the IT Center University of Cologne (ITCC) will ensure that the TRR228DB (www.trr228db.uni-koeln.de) is further developed to meet the specific requirements of the final phase. Initially adapted from the CRC-TR32DB and successfully implemented during the first phase of the CRC228, the TRR228DB was created to manage interdisciplinary research data within the CRC228. The second phase focused on updating and reprogramming several database features to more modern programming standards with the aim of improving the user experience and minimizing technical challenges. Several database features have been overhauled, such as the data upload to support the upload of larger datasets via the website, or the metadata editor to incorporate current metadata standards, streamline the input of specific metadata fields, and implement a more advanced system to verify metadata entries. Finally, CRC members have received training and support for using the RDM system. Additionally, several GIS and remote sensing activities have been conducted during the second phase. We have acquired high-resolution satellite imagery, such as Pleiades Neo, and gathered more than 6 TB of PlanetScope imagery covering Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia, the three primary focus areas of CRC228. Additionally, the historical road network of Kenya from the 1950s to 1980s has been extracted with deep learning techniques from more than 500 historical topographical maps. The created dataset is a valuable resource for future research within the CRC on historical infrastructure in Kenya as it is the first highly detailed digital representation of Kenya’s road network from that era. The dataset is openly accessible in the TRR228DB. Building on the work done in the second phase, the goal for the third phase is to establish an encompassing collection of historic topographical maps for Kenya and other areas of the CRC to support the research of other sub-projects on socio-economic and ecological studies that are related to historical infrastructure development and land-use changes.
Problem Statement
Research data management (RDM) consists of all processes and measures to ensure research data is well organized, documented, preserved, stored, backed up, accessible, available and re-usable. RDM infrastructures can improve collaboration between scientists and link research results, and is crucial for developing synergies in large, long-term interdisciplinary research projects. Metadata is important to find, re-use, and understand research data. Technical and social problems might occur and can lead to data loss. Thus, intensive training and support, as well as incentives need to be implemented.
Cooperation within the CRC
Z02(INF) has a central role within the CRC228 to ensure the sustainable management, exchange, and reuse of all data generated and collected by project participants. GIS and remote sensing data provision and analyses will continue to support selected projects (e.g., B02). As in previous phases, Z02(INF) maintains a structural link with and collaborates across all CRC228 projects, ensuring efficient data management and storage of project data.
Project Plan for 3rd Phase
► Further maintenance and updates of the TRR228DB.
► Continuation of training and support in TRR228DB handling and RDM tasks in cooperation with C³RDM.
► Development of a static version of the TRR228DB that will require minimal maintenance for post-funding accessibility in close cooperation with the ITCC.
► Geo- and satellite data provision, processing, analysis, and license administration.
► Further acquisition of historical topographic maps from the mid-20th century for other key areas of the CRC228.
► Land-use/land-cover analyses from current and historical remote sensing and geodata for selected study areas.
Findings from Phase II
► TRR228DB Updates: Major rewrite for improved usability and interactivity, including a shift from PHP to JavaScript of the metadata editor for better responsiveness, enhanced map functionalities for more complex spatial data descriptions, and browser-based large dataset uploads, eliminating external software dependency.
► Training & Support: Multiple training workshops were held to assist project members with TRR228DB handling and RDM tasks.
► Geodata Provision: Acquisition of historical and current satellite data (e.g., PlanetScope, Pleiades Neo, WorldView-3, CORONA) and historical topographical maps of Kenya from several archives (in collaboration with A05 & A02).
► Road Network Extraction: Deep learning-based extraction of Kenya’s historical road network (1950s - 1980s) from topographic maps (in collaboration with A05).
Key Achievements
- Successful update and reprogramming of several database features to more modern web standards that enhance user experience and reduce technical challenges. Significant updates were made to all aspects of data management, including uploading and downloading data, documenting data with metadata, user views, automatic backups, archiving, and applying TRR228DB-DOIs.
- Organization of regular trainings and support sessions for CRC members on data management topics and the handling of the database.
- Acquisition of high-resolution satellite imagery such as PlanetScope and Pleiades Neo. In addition, we gathered more than 6 TB of PlanetScope imagery covering the entirety of Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia.
- Collection of more than 500 historical topographical maps of Kenya from several archives in the UK and Kenya in collaboration with A02 and A05.
- Extraction of Kenya’s historical road network from the 1950s to 1980s using deep learning techniques in close co-operation with A05. This dataset stands as the first highly detailed digital representation of Kenya’s road network from that era and is openly accessible in the TRR228DB. The successful application of deep learning methods transformed geographic information from analogue maps into digitally usable formats, making them valuable for future research.
Online survey on demands and needs of data management services among all CRC-TRR 228 project members
Successful establishment of the TRR228 database as a central data repository for all types of CRC228 project data. The database is accessible online at www.trr228db.uni-koeln.de since November 2018
Development of a project specific metadata schema to ensure a sufficient description of all types of project data from different scientific disciplines (Kramm and Curdt, 2020).
Establishment of a DOI application system for datasets in the TRR228DB.
Organization of regular trainings and workshops on data management topics and the handling of the database for interdisciplinary research groups.
Implementation of the Transdisciplinary Diary (TDD) for internal sharing of field observations and ideas.
Elaboration of CRC-TRR228 Project Database Data Policy and adoption to the CRC-TRR 228 statutes to provide directives and rules for data provision, exchange and reuse
Publications
Biber-Freudenberger, L., Bogner, C., Bareth, G., Bollig, M., Dannenberg, P., Revilla Diez, J., Greiner, C., Mtweve, P. J., Klagge, B., Kramm, T., Müller-Mahn, D., Moseti, V., Nyamari, N., Ochuodho, D. O., Kuntashula, E., Theodory, T., Thorn, J., Börner, J. 2025. Impacts of road development in sub-Saharan Africa: A call for holistic perspectives in research and policy. iScience, Volume 28, Issue 2. DOI
Curdt, C. 2019. ‘Supporting the Interdisciplinary, Long-term Research Project ‘Patterns in Soil- Vegetation-Atmosphere-Systems’ by Data Management Services‘, Data Science Journal, vol. 18, no 5: pp. 1-9.
Curdt, C., Hoffmeister, D., Kramm, T., Bareth, G. & Lang, U. 2019. ‘Etablierung von Forschungsdatenmanagement-Services in geowissenschaftlichen Sonderforschungsbereichen am Beispiel des SFB/Transregio 32, SFB 1211 und SFB/ Transregio 228‘, Bausteine Forschungsdatenmanagement, Nr. 2 (September), pp. 61-67.
Dierkes, J. & Curdt, C. 2018. ‘Von der Idee zum Konzept – Forschungsdatenmanagement an der Universität zu Köln‘, o-bib. Das offene Bibliotheksjournal, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 28-46.
Hütt, C., Waldhoff, G., & Bareth, G. 2020. ‘Fusion of Sentinel-1 with official topographic and cadastral geodata for crop-type enriched LULC mapping using FOSS and open data‘, ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf, vol. 9, no 2, 120.
Kramm, T., Nyamari, N., Moseti, V., Klee, A., Vehlken, L., Anderson, D.M., Bogner, C., Bareth, G. 2025. Deep learning-based extraction of Kenya’s historical road network from topographic maps. Scientific Data 12, 1149. DOI
Kramm, T., Nyamari, N., Moseti, V., Klee, A., Vehlken, L., Anderson, D. M., Bogner, C., Bareth, G. 2024. Historical road network of Kenya (1950s – 1980s) extracted from topographic maps (Version 1.1). CRC/TRR228 Database (TRR228DB). DOI
Mtweve, P., Moseti, V., Mahmoud, N., Kramm, T., Bogner, C., Ibisch, P., Biber-Freudenberger, L. 2025. Exploring socioeconomic and environmental impacts of road infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review, Environmental Development, Volume 54, 1011772025. DOI
Nangolo, J. T., Hütt, C., Bareth, G., Diez, J. R. 2025. Roads to development? A comparison of development corridors vs regional roads in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. Journal of Maps, 21(1), 2462302. DOI
Willmes, C., Viehberg, F., Esteban Lopez, S. & Bareth, G. 2018. ‘CRC806-KB: A Semantic MediaWiki Based Collaborative Knowledge Base for an Interdisciplinary Research Project‘, Data, vol.3, no.4, 44. doi
Willmes, C., Kürner, D. & Bareth, G. 2014. ‘Building Research Data Management Infrastructure using Open Source Software’, Transactions in GIS, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 496- 509.
