Backlinks: OpenStreetMap, StreetComplete
Created: 2026-02-19 23:59
Last edited: 2026-09-05 05:50
Contributing to OpenStreetMap
Notes on contributing to OpenStreetMap.
Basics
Starting points
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Beginners%27_guide
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Getting_Involved
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Develop
Licensing
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Pros_and_cons_of_contributing_data_public_domain
- If you declare your contributions to be in the Public Domain, you are thereby making a statement only. You will not actually be changing the license or what people can do with your data, because database law still overrides the protection of individual items. People will have to adhere to ODbL when they want to use OSM, even if a majority of contributions should be declared PD. But nonetheless such statements can be powerful. How many people choose the PD option will influence the way we think about OSM licensing in the future.
Japan specific
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Japan
- https://openstreetmap.jp/eventlist
- https://plateauview.mlit.go.jp/ (MLIT_PLATEAU)
- Check
- mailing list
- discord (every Thursday discussion)
Local community
- Nearby contributors
- Nearby change set discussions
Mapping methods
Outside on-the-fly
No specific goal? → use StreetComplete
Otherwise: → Vespucci
Suitable for small edits like adding nodes based on templates, editing
tags, etc.
Pro: can always double check on site.
Con: standing around looking at phone screen instead of moving while
outside.
Record outside, map later
How to quickly record data?
- Amenities: Take geo-tagged images and edit later at home
- Paths: Record GPS traces and add/edit paths later at home
How to record and use GPS traces?
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/GPS_tracks
- Examples of upgraded traces
At home from aerial imagery
No specific goal? → use MapRoulette
Notes
General
Shop as building tag or as dedicated node
- tag when the whole building clearly is just that shop
- node otherwise; put roughly at entrance
Multiple values for one tag
- https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Multiple_values
- if applicable, separate with semicolon
Change set source
- "survey" = "was there and saw it firsthand"
Specific
Level (floor number)
MISC
Tags