OpenStreetMap
As I wrote some time ago, I started mapping (remotely) in Indianola, Iowa. I have now reached completion (as complete as it can be with the imagery available) with buildings and added more street furniture, minor highways etc.
In total, I added or modified 6,428 buildings.
Well over a year ago I extracted all the amenity=pub objects for Great Britain. Nearly 860 keys are used across all the elements. I’ve spent some time delving into these keys, trying to classify them, and hopefully learn a bit about two things: the kinds of information people want to know about pubs; and why synonyms exist for certain keys and tags. I’ve been prompted by SomeoneElse’s list of building tags.
A pub which I recently edited on OSM adding real_fire=yes.
‘Home’ now listed as a point
📅 Date: 30-1 November 2024 🌍 Location: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh 🏷️ Hashtags: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sotm2024?__s_fcid=6811183504691807194&__s_fbid=1115079362841034 #OMGuru #YouthMappers #EasternUniversity #OSM #MappingForChange #GeospatialRevolution
🌍 A Journey of KNNOrganization, Collaborate, and CONNECTION Besides being a conference the State of the Map Asia 2024 in Cox’s Bazar was an experience that made me feel I am an empowered and global mapper. Held from November 30th to December 1st, 2024, this event truly captured the essence of its theme: “Unite, Inspire, Innovate.” And the best part? I was awarded the Certificate of Participation upon my active participation in this amazing campaign!
🔥 Day 1: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐲 ℚ𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐤 The first day of the map conference State of the Map Asia2024 started with a brilliant and inspiring keynote by Said Turksever from Mapillary&@Meta. His insights into the future of mapping technologies were nothing short of captivating, especially when he raised these two crucial questions: 1) Does Mapillary have certain regulations, or limitations on what and where users can record via their application? 2) What are the further objectives of the Mapillary platform and what updates are further expected from it? These questions raised debates regarding the ethical issues within and the future possibilities of such platforms as Mapillary, thus promising a highly stimulating tone for the whole conference.
A few years ago I started working to make my town, Glenrothes, more visible on the Open Street Map. Mostly it was just roads and land use imported from public data, though a few people had added in some housing areas, addresses, and point of interest. I have steadily been adding all the missing buildings, shops, addresses, other missing POIs and cleaning up major land use blocks.
It is far from perfect, but things are in a much better state than they were a few years ago. But there are still a few areas where data needs to be added. If possible, it would be nice to address these in the coming year:
Did anyone follow #30DayMapChallenge on social media in November?
I went through lots of posts and picked out some that felt like great art contributions, especially if they used OpenStreetMap data. On video I’ve told why I picked them, and will post the 4 parts every other day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjWOA61jnVc
In 2010, I first conducted a study which identified regions (places) in the OpenStreetMap (OSM) project in Germany that still had potential for more detailed mapping. Later, in 2016, this analysis was repeated and extended to the entire world. I have since regularly carried out these studies and published the results. The algorithm and some more details are documented in an earlier blog post of mine.
For the year 2024, I have recalculated this analysis and published the results on my website: “Unmapped Places of OpenStreetMap”. For the study, the OSM Planet File in PBF format from Dec. 7th was used. It can be downloaded here.
Happy Festivus from the Rapid Team! Today we released v2.5 of the Rapid editor for OpenStreetMap just in time for the “Feats of Strength” 💪
Here’s 4 new features that we’re really proud of!…
We upgraded Rapid’s render to use the latest version of PixiJS game engine. This version gives Rapid a welcome performance boost - if you’ve aired any grievances about Rapid being laggy, the new Rapid should perform much better for you!
Ah, State of the Map! The pinnacle annual gathering of our own kind, where we, the OSM community, come together to exchange insights, celebrate achievements, and explore the latest advancements in technology.
How was my experience overall, you may ask? Eight days of relentless effort—rushing between offices to complete my passport and visa, and spending countless hours traveling on various modes of transport—just to attend a weekend-long conference. Was it worth it? Absolutely, without a doubt! In fact, I’d gladly go through it all again in a heartbeat.
This experience was nothing short of incredible. It was a joy and privilege to finally meet Mikko Tamura, Honey Fombuena, Harry Mahardhika, Nama Raj Budhathoki from HOT, and so many other inspiring individuals from the Bangladesh and Nepal OSM communities, as well as the vibrant YouthMappers network. Their boundless energy, unwavering passion for improving OpenStreetMap (OSM), and commitment to encouraging mass adoption left a profound impression on me.
Connecting with them wasn’t just about OSM; it was about engaging with a group of extraordinary people whose enthusiasm and vision resonate deeply. Their drive to create positive change is quite something, and I am more motivated than ever to channel that same spirit into my own initiatives in the near future.
The weekend wasn’t just a conference—it was a gathering of minds, a celebration of shared purpose, and an unforgettable opportunity to be part of a community that genuinely inspires. I am immensely grateful for every moment of it.
I’ve been mapping in Alaska for quite some time now, with a specific interest in mapping national parks, forests, and other protected areas. It has become apparent to me that much of the state, with the exception of southeast Alaska, lacks sufficient hydrographic data in the map. I’ve been working on chipping away at this problem intermittently, adding lakes and named waterways. However, given the size of interior Alaska’s national and state parks, attempting large scale additions by hand would be prohibitively time consuming.
I’ve gained a good deal of familiarity over the years with the software needed to perform an import of USGS National Hydrographic Dataset data to fill this gap. My current idea is to download the needed NHD dataset from the USGS website, convert it to .shp in QGIS, delete all tags from the data and split it to smaller files. I would then load the raw shapes into JOSM using the opendata plugin and add tags manually. I would avoid conflicts with existing data by loading it into the editor prior to loading the .shp, thus allowing me to integrate the data more seamlessly.
I am aware that it is customary to receive community buy in before beginning an import project. I’ve run into some confusion on this as Alaska has a very small OSM community that is not well established. I could contact a few mappers individually, but I am not sure if that alone would satisfy the need for community buy in.
I’m curious as to what input people have on this
I have not participated in so many State of the Map conferences, only in two LATAM conferences, the first one being Sao Paulo in 2016, historical for me since the Geochicas were founded on this occasion and the following year in 2017 in Lima. I also participated in a Global conference in Milan (2018).
These conferences have seemed fundamental to me because of the links they generate, strengthen and activate. The OSM universe has a remote reality where in a somewhat miraculous way very strong human bonds of friendship, collaboration, emulation, creation, where it is possible to generate governance issues, where it is possible to build agendas and develop them. However, the face-to-face coexistence brings to this an additional unfailing strength: the friends we make at the State of the Map conferences remain forever. In addition, obviously, we discover themes, ways of impacting reality thanks to collaborative mapping, we update ourselves, we connect with people, companies, institutions and we all grow together.
That powerful sub-communities like Geochicas have emerged stimulated by one of these conferences is telling, Geochicas now being recognized globally for the actions and leadership it builds, and for what it manages to bring to the open technology communities of the geospatial world.
By connecting with people at these conferences, we also build bridges between national and regional communities allowing individuals to bring valuable knowledge in other contexts. I think of my connection with Jorge PB from Cuba, from SOTM Sao Paulo, which has led me to participate in other conferences in Cuba contributing there, I hope, some grain of sand.
English below ;)
Nosso capítulo completou 1 ano de existência em maio de 2024 e continuamos a pleno vapor, com atividades abertas de mapeamento e de capacitação em OpenStreetMap. Neste ano, incorporamos o uMap no curso básico de OSM, a fim de oferecer mais recursos para quem nos acompanha. Somente em 2024, foram realizadas 17 oficinas e emitidos 700 certificados.
O nosso projeto é registrado como uma ação de extensão na Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ (Brasil) e conta com a coordenação técnica do Instituto Virtual para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável - IVIDES.org e dos laboratórios Espaço e GeoCart da UFRJ, além das parcerias externas com demais laboratórios do estado do RJ e demais grupos do HUB YouthMappers Rio de Janeiro.
Estimamos boas festas e feliz 2025! 🌎
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From the day I heard about the program, I was eager to participate in this international conference in my homeland. The venue, Cox’s Bazar, was another triggering factor of enthusiasm for me. Moreover, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to participate in a State of the Map Asia conference.
Though I come from a coastal area of Bangladesh, I have never been to the Cox’s Bazar. So. the excitement to journey with my fellow chapter members was beyond description. Though I attended only one day of the conference, the day was full of gaining knowledge and experience and making new connections. Many types of people were at the conference, ranging from students to experts and specialists in different sectors.
My excitement was extremely high since I had come to know that this year’s State of the Map Asia would take place in the beautiful setting of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh for the very first time. SotM Asia 2024 had let us acquaint the people from all over Asia with our country’s culture, heritage, natural beauty, and the tradition of hospitality. The co-events – State of the Map Bangladesh, YouthMappers Bangladesh Summit, HOT Open Summit – surely added extra colours to the main event. I was eager to witness this proud moment being present at the conference doing any sort of adjustments needed to my existing schedule.
As my final exams coincided with the event, my participation became uncertain. But as I mentioned before, my willingness to make adjustments to my schedule and comfort made my participation happen somehow. As a result, I could ensure my presence only on the second day of the event – 1 December 2024. I started my journey from Dhaka on 30 November night as I had an exam on that day and reached Cox’s Bazar very early next morning. Then, I attended the conference for the whole day and again left for Dhaka in the evening of the same day. Upon reaching Dhaka on 2 December morning, I again sat for another exam. That is how my trip was designed with so much risks as I was not ready to miss this historic event!
I am @SantiViajaSimplemente to see the pictures… Now in Colombia after 86 countries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many others, I found myself immersed in online classes and scrolling through social media during breaks. One day, I stumbled across OpenStreetMap (OSM), and my journey with this incredible platform began out of sheer curiosity. Little did I know that this discovery would eventually lead me to the State of the Map Asia 2024 conference—my first-ever conference application. I cannot express the joy I felt when both my presentation and I were selected to be part of this esteemed event. Though I received only a partial scholarship, I was determined to make it to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Traveling from Nepal, we were a group of four. I had already booked my flight, which departed from Delhi, while my friends flew directly from Kathmandu.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges. I had a tight three-hour transit in Dhaka to catch my domestic flight to Cox’s Bazar. However, my international flight faced delays, and applying for a visa on arrival meant standing in a long queue. Fearing I might miss my next flight, I humbly requested the visa officer to expedite my process. Time was of the essence, so I couldn’t exchange currency or get a local SIM card. With only minutes to spare, I dashed to the domestic terminal, relieved to find that my domestic flight was also delayed by an hour. I was informed by Sawan Sir that I would meet Hasna Heena and Fazle Rabbi at the airport, which comforted me as they were on the same flight. True to their reputation, the lovely couple warmly welcomed me, helped me exchange currency, and ensured I felt at home upon reaching the hotel.
This is my first major mapping project on OpenStreetMap, and I’m calling it the StephenvilleTX Project. I’ve been spending a lot of time refining the roads and overall layout of the city, and it’s been both an exciting and challenging experience. One of my main goals is to improve overall road accuracy before moving on to fine-tuning the local businesses and points of interest.
To help ensure precise positioning, I recently took a drive around Stephenville with my GPS running.
My recent GPS trace helps align the map more accurately than just relying on satellite imagery. Capturing these traces, along with taking my own photos, has been a rewarding challenge, even if it’s hard not to nitpick over every last pixel of road placement.
On the technical side, I’m still learning to navigate JOSM. The learning curve is definitely steep, but I’m enjoying the process and feeling more confident every day. My prior experience doing DoorDash and Lyft around town has given me a strong sense of Stephenville’s geography, and it’s been a huge help in knowing where to refine details and ensure data accuracy.
If any other mappers are working in this area, I’d be happy to collaborate. Need fresh GPS traces or specific location photos? Just let me know. I’m excited to continue improving the map together and creating something that truly reflects the city’s layout and character!
When I received the news about the State of the Map Asia 2024 in Cox’s Bazar, I was filled with excitement. I was traveling from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar for this conference was a new adventure. As a Campus Ambassador for the University of Chittagong and a representative of the CUSS YouthMappers Chapter, attending this event was a great honor. The accommodation scholarship I received allowed me to stay at Hotel Prime Park, making the entire experience even more special.
The journey from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar on November 29th was filled with excitement and anticipation. I traveled with one of my friends and three juniors, all of whom were equally excited. Along the way, the scenic beauty of the surroundings made the trip more enjoyable, and we couldn’t help but look forward to what awaited us in Cox’s Bazar. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the warm hospitality of our hosts, and everything went smoothly. The city of Cox’s Bazar, with its stunning 120 km-long beach, was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The beauty of the sea and the peaceful atmosphere left me in awe, and we made sure to capture some special moments, including drone shots of the beach, thanks to Krishna Prashad Mondal Dada. The entire trip, both to and from Cox’s Bazar, was truly an enjoyable experience.
On November 30 and December 1, 2024, the breathtaking shores of Cox’s Bazar played host to an extraordinary gathering of mapping enthusiasts, community leaders, and changemakers at State of the Map Asia 2024! This landmark event brought together the OpenStreetMap community to celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and drive the open mapping movement forward. Here’s a glimpse into what we accomplished together:
💡 02 Keynote Sessions: We were inspired by two visionary keynote speakers who shared powerful insights and sparked meaningful conversations about the future of open mapping. Their perspectives served as a catalyst for fresh ideas and bold innovations.
🔊 31 Lightning Talks: These bite-sized presentations delivered bursts of inspiration, highlighting unique stories and experiences from mappers across Asia and beyond. Each talk was a testament to the diversity and creativity of our community.
When I first received the email confirming my scholarship to attend State of the Map Asia 2024 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, I was overjoyed. It was my first international travel experience, and to make it even more special, it was my first time attending a State of the Map conference. The excitement was real, but so were the nerves. The initial thrill was soon followed by a whirlwind of preparations—official paperwork, visa applications, currency exchanges, and everything in between. At one point, I found myself wondering how I would manage this journey to a faraway country where I didn’t know anyone. But those thoughts soon eased when I knew that some of my friends would be traveling with me. Knowing I wouldn’t be alone made me feel calmer and even more excited for the adventure ahead.
The trip to Bangladesh and the onward journey to Cox’s Bazar were incredible, thanks to the warm hospitality of our Bangladeshi friends. They ensured that everything went smoothly, making the entire experience comfortable and enjoyable. Cox’s Bazar was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Coming from a landlocked country, getting a close view of the sea for the first time was simply mesmerizing. The beaches stretched endlessly, and the beauty of the waves crashing against the shore left me in awe. Exploring the city and visiting tourist attractions added an unforgettable charm to my trip.
The State of the Map Asia 2024 conference was everything I had hoped for and more. The sessions were packed with valuable insights, showcasing the diverse ways OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is being used across Asia. I attended presentations that highlighted innovative projects from the private sector, government, and civil society, and learned about real-world applications of OSM in humanitarian efforts and disaster risk reduction. The attendees were of every age group from students to experts.
