Dongpo Deng

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a well-known crowdsourced map collaboratively created by global communities. The data production of OSM relies on a geographical data model enabling volunteers to collaboratively contribute their data on the single platform. The data production mechanism of OSM actually gets attention from map authorities which attempt to move towards a collaboration-based framework. However, the data production of map authorities is required to be compatible with institutional policies and standards. The top-down approach of map authorities is actually different from the bottom-up approach of OSM. There is a gap between OSM’s collaborative model and the institutional model of map authorities. To embed the OSM framework into the production mechanism of map authorities, the research starts with investigation of the differences in feature models between OSM and the map authority of Taiwan. According to the investigation of the feature models, data transformation tools have been designed to transfer institutional data to OSM. The data transformation enables the institutional data providers to contribute their data on the OSM-based map platform. The institutional data providers can be surveyors of the map authority or other agencies taking charge of geographic data such as river, land covers, forest, etc. This OSM-based collaboration model is actually created for instructional data contribution but not for crowdsourced data contribution. Moreover, the insertion of the OSM mechanism in map authorities certainly has impacts and conflicts with institutional data production. This research analyzes the possible impacts and conflicts. It would be valuable for map authorities to adopt the collaborative model for their data production.