How to do what we did

So, you want to provide addressing to people living in underserved areas?
Here is a step-by-step guide.

  1. Understanding
  2. Permission and Community Buy-in
  3. Set up AddressMaker
  4. Assemble and Train Team Members
  5. Sensitisation of the Community
  6. Addressing the Dwellings
  7. Activation of the Addressing

1. Understanding

PlusCodes are a digital address system. Using the GPS coordinates unique to the location of dwelling, a code is calculated which is then assigned to the dwelling. In Kolkata, the code is 12 digits long and looks like this: 7MJCG9C5+QVFF, or G9C5+QVFF Kolkata.
When printed on a blue board and affixed to a dwelling, it serves as a house number, an address and a findable location on Google Maps.

2. Permission and Community Buy-In

The next step is to get permission to carry out the addressing work. The most suitable avenue is to find a trusted partner in the area, for example an NGO working in the community providing such services as healthcare or child education. Organisations such as these are trusted both by the community and by the local elected representatives and community leaders. These organisations are experienced dealing with the community and can advise on any issues which may come up during the addressing work. By partnering with them one can achieve permission more quickly and avoid many local issues which may slow down or even halt the addressing work. When permission has been received to carry out the work at political level, the next step is to talk to community leaders and ensure they are satisfied of the benefits.

3. Set up AddressMaker

Once permission has been received the next step is to get the AddressMaker app from Google and inform Google of the areas where you intend to work. They will be helpful in this and provide guidance and training in the use of the app.

4. Assemble and Train Team Members

With the AddressMaker app and Google on board, the next step is to assemble the team members. A number of skills are needed, but everyone should be comfortable using mobile phone apps to carry out this work, and in addition be used to using Google Maps to find their way around. The skills are team manager, sensitisers and field workers. The team manager directs the sensitisation teams to talk to the community and explain the purpose and value of the work to be done. The field workers will use the AddressMaker app to identify Plus Codes for each dwelling, and when the address plates are printed then to affix them to the dwellings.

5. Sensitisation of the Community

The local NGO will identify and advise on the type of sensitisation meeting, which is expected, and it is up to the team manager, the sensitisation team and the field workers then to arrange meetings (include leaflets and posters etc) to inform the community as to what is about to occur.

6. Addressing the Dwellings

The next step is using the AddressMaker app to identify a work package area, and to assign the PlusCodes to each house in the area (writing the PlusCode on the door) and submit these PlusCodes for quality checking. When the quality check is done, the PlusCode address plates are printed, and they affixed to each dwelling.

7. Activation of the Addressing

Probably the most important part of the work is the activation of the addressing system as without this activation the address will not be used. Activation means a number of things: