OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world, founded by Steve Coast and supported by the OpenStreetMap Foundation. The project uses data from various sources, including GPS tracks, aerial photography, and census data, to create a comprehensive map of the world, with contributions from Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo!. The map data is available under the Open Database License, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the data, similar to Creative Commons licenses used by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. The project has gained support from organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations, and Red Cross, which use the map data for disaster response and humanitarian efforts, often in collaboration with NASA and European Space Agency.

Introduction

The project was inspired by the success of Wikipedia and other collaborative projects, and aims to provide a free and open alternative to proprietary map data, such as Google Maps and MapQuest. The map data is created and edited by a community of volunteers, using a range of tools and technologies, including Java, Python, and JavaScript, and is available in various formats, including Shapefile and GeoJSON. The project has been supported by a range of organizations, including University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, which have used the map data for research and education, often in collaboration with National Geographic and Esri. The map data has also been used by companies such as Uber, Airbnb, and Facebook, which have integrated the data into their services, often using APIs provided by Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform.

History

The project was founded in 2004 by Steve Coast, a British programmer and entrepreneur, who was inspired by the success of Wikipedia and other collaborative projects, and has since grown to become one of the largest collaborative mapping projects in the world, with contributions from Apple, IBM, and Oracle. The project has undergone several major changes and developments over the years, including the introduction of new editing tools and technologies, such as Potlatch and JOSM, and the launch of new services and applications, such as OSMAnd and Maps.me, which have been used by organizations such as Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. The project has also been supported by a range of funding agencies, including the Knight Foundation and Shuttleworth Foundation, which have provided grants and funding for the development of new tools and technologies, often in collaboration with University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

Data

The project uses a range of data sources, including GPS tracks, aerial photography, and census data, to create a comprehensive map of the world, with contributions from US Geological Survey, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and European Environment Agency. The map data is stored in a database and is available under the Open Database License, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the data, similar to Creative Commons licenses used by Wikimedia Commons and Flickr. The data is also available in various formats, including Shapefile and GeoJSON, and can be accessed using a range of tools and technologies, including PostGIS and GeoServer, which are used by organizations such as United States Census Bureau and Statistics Canada. The project has also developed a range of data validation and quality control tools, such as OSM Inspector and Keep Right, which are used to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the map data, often in collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan.

Community

The project has a large and active community of contributors, who use a range of tools and technologies to create and edit the map data, including Slack and GitHub, which are used by organizations such as Linux Foundation and Apache Software Foundation. The community is supported by a range of online forums and resources, including IRC and Wiki, which are used by contributors such as Richard Fairhurst and Frederik Ramm, who have made significant contributions to the project, often in collaboration with University of California, San Diego and University of Washington. The project also has a range of local chapters and meetups, which provide opportunities for contributors to meet and collaborate in person, often in cities such as New York City, London, and Tokyo, and at events such as State of the Map and FOSS4G, which are organized by organizations such as OpenStreetMap Foundation and OSGeo.

Uses

The project has a range of uses and applications, including navigation, urban planning, and disaster response, with organizations such as Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross using the map data to respond to natural disasters, often in collaboration with NASA and European Space Agency. The map data is also used by companies such as Uber and Airbnb, which have integrated the data into their services, often using APIs provided by Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. The project has also been used by researchers and academics, who have used the map data to study topics such as urbanization and transportation, often in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and have published their findings in journals such as Nature and Science.

Technology

The project uses a range of technologies, including Java, Python, and JavaScript, to create and edit the map data, with contributions from Apache Software Foundation and Linux Foundation. The project also uses a range of databases and storage systems, including PostgreSQL and Redis, which are used by organizations such as Wikimedia Foundation and Mozilla Foundation. The project has also developed a range of tools and applications, including OSMAnd and Maps.me, which provide mobile and offline access to the map data, often using APIs provided by Google Maps and MapQuest, and have been used by organizations such as United Nations and Red Cross for disaster response and humanitarian efforts, often in collaboration with University of Cambridge and University of Oxford. The project has also been supported by a range of funding agencies, including the Knight Foundation and Shuttleworth Foundation, which have provided grants and funding for the development of new tools and technologies, often in collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan. Category:Geographic information systems