The Complete Guide to Civic Issue Reporting
Civic issue reporting is the act of documenting street-level problems — potholes, flooding, broken lights, garbage, damaged sidewalks — and submitting them to a system that can route them toward resolution. This guide covers everything you need to know.
What counts as a civic issue?
Any publicly visible infrastructure problem that affects the safety, accessibility, or quality of life on a street. Common categories include:
- Potholes — holes in road surfaces caused by wear, weather, or subsidence
- Flooding — waterlogging, blocked drains, overflowing storm channels
- Broken street lights — non-functional, flickering, or damaged lighting
- Garbage — illegal dumping, overflowing bins, litter accumulation
- Road damage — cracks, subsidence, missing lane markings
- Sidewalk damage — broken tiles, trip hazards, accessibility barriers
- Drainage failures — blocked or overflowing gutters and storm drains
How to report effectively
A good civic report has three things: a clear photo, an accurate location, and a brief description. On OpenStreetProblem, the AI handles classification and duplicate detection, so your job is just to capture the problem honestly.
What happens after you report
Your report appears on the live map and in the issue feed for your city. Community members can upvote and verify it. As the report gains traction, it becomes more visible to local authorities and maintenance contractors who use the platform to find work.
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Frequently asked questions
What civic issues can I report?
Potholes, garbage, flooding, broken street lights, road damage, drainage failures, sidewalk damage, illegal parking, unsafe areas, noise violations, and more.
Do I need an account to report civic issues?
You need a free account to submit reports on OpenStreetProblem. Sign-up takes seconds — just enter your email and verify with a code. No passwords required.
Is OpenStreetProblem available in my city?
OpenStreetProblem works worldwide. When you report an issue, your city is automatically added to the platform if it isn't already.
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