The OpenStreetMap (OSM) project, launched in 2004 in the UK, aims to create a free and editable map of the world, utilizing volunteer contributions and distributed under an open-content license. OSM allows users to map geographical features using core elements like nodes, ways, and relations, each characterized by specific tags. Contributing to OSM can be done through outdoor mapping, remote mapping, or community bulk imports, alongside various tools and editors available for different user expertise levels.

1. Slides by Alessandro Zacchera, Vice-President of PoliMappers
Introduction to OpenStreetMap
Federica Gaspari, Social Media & Communication Responsible of PoliMappers

2. Web Mapping Services
2OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

3. Genesis of OpenStreetMap
The OpenStreetMap (OSM) project was born in the UK in 2004 to encourage the
development and distribution of free geospatial data for anybody to use and share.
OpenStreetMap is a free and editable map of the whole world that is being built by
volunteers largely from scratch and released with an open-content license.
Anyone can contribute to mapping in different ways.
3OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

4. OSM potentials
Geographical data and maps are generally commercially copyrighted and not free.
Advances in technology imply that you can now create your own maps, in collaboration with others.
OSM community
State of The Map 2019 – Heidelberg, Germany. Photo by Thomas Skowron, CC BY 2.0
4OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

5. OSM License
• OpenStreetMap is open data, licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) by the
OpenStreetMap Foundation.
• You are free to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt OSM data, as long as you credit OpenStreetMap and its
contributors. If you alter or build upon OSM data, you may distribute the result only under the same license.
• The cartography in OSM map tiles, and related documentation, are licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license (CC BY-SA).
5OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

6. Contributors
Summary statistics (as of 2020-Aug-18):
• 6.7 million registered users
• 6.25 billion nodes
• 4.5 million map changes/day
• 1.4 million different user contributors
6OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

7. Sign Up
https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/new
7OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

8. Standard View https://www.openstreetmap.org
8OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

9. Map Legend
9OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

10. Core OSM Elements
• A geographic feature (object) is represented by geometry and tags that describe the attributes of the feature, for
example a path with a tag for classification (e.g. highway=footway).
• In OSM there are 3 core elements that define geometries:
1. NODE → defining points in space (e.g. tree, gate, trash bin, etc.)
2. WAY → defining linear features (e.g. road, river, etc.) and area boundaries (e.g. building, park, etc.)
3. RELATION → providing explanation on how other elements work together (e.g. building with courtyard, etc.)
10OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

11. Tags
• Each element is characterized by at least one tag corresponding to a specific attribute.
• Tags are composed of two parts: a key and a value.
• Conventions are agreed on the meaning and use of tags, which are captured in Wiki:
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https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Map_Features
OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

12. Example of Multiple Tags
A road (polyline) along which people live, for which the maximum legal
speed is 50 km/h and whose name is ‘Via Roma’ will have tags:
highway residential
key value
=
maxspeed 50=
name Via Roma=
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Via Roma, Piacenza
OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

13. Examples: Node
node
13OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

14. Examples: Way (polyline)
polyline
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15. Examples: Way (polygon)
polygon
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16. Examples: Relation (e.g. Multipolygon)
multipolygon
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Relations of type multipolygon are used, for example, to represent complex areas.
OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

17. How to Contribute?
There are 3 main ways to contribute to OSM:
Outdoor/Field Mapping Armchair /Remote Mapping Community/Bulk Import
17OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

18. Outdoor/Field Mapping
Requires to have knowledge of the area to be mapped, data are
captured using specific hardware, e.g. GPS receivers, and field papers.
http://fieldpapers.org
18OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

19. Armchair /Remote Mapping
Consists of digitizing elements (roads, buildings, etc.) in areas for which
users have no previous knowledge, data are usually obtained from
aerial/satellite imagery.
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https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Aerial_imagery
OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

20. Community/Bulk Import
Consists of the direct import of data which is available with an open (and compatible) license; this
mapping method is not for beginners and can introduce problems if not correctly performed.
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Import/Catalogue#Community_imports
20OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

21. OSM Data Editor: iD
http://ideditor.com/
iD editor: web-based
editor, suitable for
beginners.
21OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

22. OSM Data Editor: JOSM
https://josm.openstreetmap.de/
JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap
Editor) is a feature-rich
desktop editor, suitable for
advanced users.
22OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

23. OSM Data Editor: Vespucci
A full editor for OpenStreetMap that works both on small (phones)
and large (tablet) screen Android devices.
Key functionalities:
• Create, edit and delete nodes and ways
• Create, edit and delete tags
• Move and rotate ways
• Edit relations and create new turn restrictions
• …
http://vespucci.io/
23OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

24. OSM Data Editor: Go Map!!
Go Map!! is an iOS app that lets you create and edit information in
OpenStreetMap. Go Map!! supports editing nodes and ways and
arbitrary tagging.
Key functionalities:
• Create, edit and delete nodes and ways
• Create, edit and delete tags
• Move and rotate ways
• Edit relations and create new turn restrictions
• …
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Go_Map!!
24OpenStreetMap: An Introduction

25. OSM Mapping Tools: Mapillary
• Mapillary is a collaborative street-level imagery platform for extracting map data at scale using computer vision.
• OSMers can use Mapillary photos directly when editing in OSM editors, such as iD or JOSM.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapillary
https://www.mapillary.com/
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26. Useful resources…
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Learn OSM

27. Useful resources…
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OpenStreetMap Wiki

28. Introduction to OpenStreetMap
Slides by Alessandro Zacchera, PoliMappers Vice-President
Federica Gaspari
PoliMappers Social Media & Communication Responsible
federica.gaspari@mail.polimi.it
Politecnico di Milano | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
28OpenStreetMap: An Introduction