What is Google Street View, and Why is it Important for Africa? 

RippleNami | April, 2024
^ Click and drag to explore the 360-degree panorama of Lions Head and Table Mountain peaks in Cape Town, South Africa, above

Most Western cities have Google Street View, but only a few African countries do. Google Maps has become our main tool for navigating the world, but being excluded from features like Street View has significant implications. 

In today's digital age, the world is literally at our fingertips. Thanks to technological advancements, exploring the streets of distant cities and remote villages has never been easier.At the forefront of this revolution is Google Street View, a groundbreaking feature of Google Maps, offering users a virtual tour of real-world locations from the comfort of their homes.Google Maps has become our main tool for navigating the world, but being excluded from features like Street View can carry significant implications. This is why RippleNami, through its 'Africa 360 VIew' initiative, is working with African governments to introduce Street View technology in places where it does not exist today. Let's dive into what Google Street View is, and how it has transformed the way we navigate and experience the world.
^ Click and drag to explore this beautiful 360-degree panorama at the beach of Trou Aux Biches Mauritius, at sunset

What is Google Street View?

Google Street View is a feature of Google Maps that provides panoramic, 360-degree views of streets, landmarks, and natural landscapes around the globe.Launched in 2007, Street View uses vehicles equipped with cameras and GPS technology to capture images of streets and roads from various vantage points.These images are then stitched together to create seamless, immersive experiences that allow users to explore virtually any location with remarkable detail.

How Google Street View Works

Capturing and displaying Street View imagery involves several sophisticated technologies and techniques.360 Cameras mounted on vehicles such as cars or bikes traverse streets and highways, capturing images along the way. These images are then processed using computer vision algorithms to remove blur, stitch them together, and align them correctly to create a smooth panoramic view.In addition to cars, a backpack-mounted camera system can be used to capture imagery in remote or inaccessible locations. From bustling city streets to tranquil hiking trails and underwater reefs, Street View offers a diverse array of immersive experiences.

Why is Street View Important? 

While Google Street View is undoubtedly a fascinating tool for armchair travelers and curious explorers, it has numerous practical applications in various industries and sectors.Tourism and Travel: For travelers planning their next adventure, Street View offers invaluable insights into potential destinations. From checking out hotel locations and landmarks to scoping out the best routes for sightseeing, Street View enhances navigation by providing visual aid to maps, making navigation more intuitive. Users experience the panoramic views of tourist attractions, actual buildings, and natural wonders, thus giving them a better understanding of their route and helping them make more informed decisions and get a sense of what to expect before embarking on their journey.Real Estate: Street View has become an indispensable tool for homebuyers and renters in the real estate industry. Prospective buyers can virtually tour neighborhoods and explore properties from the comfort of their homes, saving time and narrowing down their options before scheduling in-person viewings.Urban Planning and Development: City planners and developers use Street View to assess infrastructure, traffic patterns, and pedestrian flow in urban areas. By analyzing Street View imagery, governments can make informed decisions about transportation projects, zoning regulations, land use planning, urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, emergency response, and enhancing public services through accurate, real-world visual data.Education and Research: Street View is also valuable for educators and researchers. Teachers can take students on virtual field trips to far-flung locales, while researchers can use Street View imagery for environmental studies, historical research, and urban analysis.Accessibility: For individuals with mobility challenges or limited access to transportation, Street View offers a way to explore the world from home. Whether visiting distant relatives or exploring iconic landmarks, Street View provides a sense of independence and inclusion for people of all abilities.Local Business Visibility: Google Street View can offer businesses a valuable opportunity to market and advertise their products and services online, enhance their visibility and engagement with customers, attract more customers who explore the business around them virtually before visiting in person, and ultimately drive foot traffic and sales.
^ Click and drag to explore this 360 panorama of Shiv Kalyan Vath Mandir; a vividly coloured Tamil temple in Grand Baie, Mauritius

Privacy and Security

To ensure users’ privacy and security, Google has implemented various privacy safeguards, including blurring faces and license plates.Additionally, Google adheres to strict data protection policies and guidelines to ensure the privacy and security of individuals captured in Street View imagery.As technology continues to evolve, so will Google Street View's capabilities, allowing us to embark on ever-more immersive and captivating virtual journeys.So, grab your virtual backpack and embark on an adventure—the world is waiting to be explored with Google Street View.

How to Get to Google Street View in Google Maps on Android

To get Street View photos, you can search for a place, drop a pin, tap on a place marker, or use the Street View layer.Search for a place or drop a pin
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
  2. Search for a place or drop a pin on the map.
    • To drop a pin, touch and hold a place on the map.
  3. At the bottom, tap the place name or address.
  4. Scroll and select the photo labeled "Street View" or select the thumbnail with a Street View icon.
  5. When you’re done, at the top left, tap Back ←
Tap on a place marker
    1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
    2. Tap on a place marker.
    3. At the bottom, tap the place name or address.
    4. Scroll and select the photo labeled "Street View."
      • You can also select the thumbnail with a Street View icon.
    5. When you’re done, at the top left, tap Back ←
Use Street View Layer
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
  2. At the top, tap Layers Layers and then Street View.
  3. Blue lines on the Map indicate Street View coverage. Tap on any blue line to enter Street View.