OpenStreetMap is a very valuable data source for geodata and Carto has written a great summary of the advantages of using OpenStreetMap. But how do you contribute to the database? Is it only for the rich and beautiful? Fortunately, this is not the case. This site will use OpenStreetMap data a lot, so it´s only fair to contribute to the project as well. Below, I have listed my top suggestions for mapping the world.

StreetComplete

The easiest way to contribute to the OpenStreetMap database might be using the Android app StreetComplete. You help improving the map by answering questions about the map features.

The StreetComplete interface

A few examples of question to answer:

• What kind of building is this?
• What´s the house number of this building?
• What’s the name of this street?
• What´s the surface here?
• Do the trees here have needles or leaves?
• Is there tactile paving at the top and bottom of these steps?

The focus is adding information to existing map features, not adding new features to the map. The edits are uploaded immediately and available for all users.

iD editor

The iD editor is a simple, web based editor, integrated in https://www.openstreetmap.org/. It allows you to add and edit map features in the iD editor in your browser.

Editing the map

For an introduction to iD, have a look at https://learnosm.org/en/beginner/id-editor/.

JOSM

JOSM is a feature rich Java application for editing OpenStreetMap data. It is a bit more complex and more suitable for offline work.

Using JOSM

There, three ways of improving the map data in OpenStreetMap.