2025 FOSS4G NA | Simplifying the Retrieval of Open Places Data - Ted Banken
In this session from FOSS4G NA 2025, Ted Banken presents Simplifying the Retrieval of Open Places Data. Ted discusses the challenges of working with massive open datasets like Overture Maps, which contains billions of points globally, and the technical hurdles that prevent non-engineers from easily accessing this data.
The presentation provides a practical guide to retrieving "Places" (Points of Interest) data using a variety of open-source tools—from QGIS plugins for visual learners to streamlined packages in R and Python for developers. Ted demonstrates how to find every bagel shop in New York City using cloud-native GeoParquet formats, and introduces "pyplace," a Python package he developed to reduce complex SQL queries into simple, one-line functions for exploratory spatial analysis.
Highlights:
🛰️ The Overture Maps Dataset: An overview of the massive, multi-source open data project supported by Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and TomTom
🔄 Why GeoParquet? Understanding the benefits of ultra-compressed, column-oriented storage for high-speed spatial querying
🧩 Bridging the SQL Gap: How "analyst-first" tools help urban planners and policy experts access big data without deep engineering knowledge
⚙️ QGIS Workflow: Using the GeoParquet Downloader and QuickOSM plugins to visualize and clip global place data locally
🌐 The R Experience: A look at the "overtureR" and "nominatimlight" packages for elegant spatial filtering and leaflet mapping
🏢 Python & PyPlace: A demo of Ted's custom library designed to simplify Overture data retrieval into human-readable Python functions
🏗️ Real-World Application: Watch a step-by-step demonstration of extracting specific business categories across a major metropolitan area
For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com
#Geospatial #FOSS4G #OpenData #OvertureMaps #PointsOfInterest #GIS #GeoParquet #Python #Rstats #QGIS #UrbanPlanning #OpenSource #DataEngineering #ProjectGeospatial #LocationIntelligence
