OpenAerialMap

OpenAerialMap is an open service to provide access to a commons of openly licensed imagery and map layer services.

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Other Info

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A revamp of OpenAerialMap, originally developed back in the 2010s.

Components

• Backend
  • STAC API deployment of eoAPI.
  • STAC creation and extension for OAM metadata requirements, data ingestion.
• Main frontend: the OAM Browser in frontend/.
• Uploader: a separate application in backend/uploader-api/.
• Additional catalogue viewers: STAC Browser and STAC Map.
• Legacy frontend: https://github.com/hotosm/oam-browser.
• Legacy API: https://github.com/hotosm/oam-api.

Frontend Parts

The main OAM Browser is built specifically for OpenAerialMap. STAC Map was evaluated as a replacement, but the team chose a dedicated browser to better meet OAM users' needs and match other HOT tools. See the frontend decision.

Main parts:

• Landing page linking to the browser, uploader, and other tools.
• OAM Browser for finding, previewing, filtering, and downloading imagery.
• Uploader for sharing imagery, with the shared HOT login.
• Documentation with usage and setup guides.
• STAC Browser and STAC Map as additional ways to explore the catalogue.

Contributing 👍🎉

We would really welcome contributions for:

• Backend Python development
• Frontend TypeScript development
• Documentation writers
• UI / UX designers
• Testers!

Please take a look at our Documentation and contributor guidance for more details!

Reach out to us if you have any questions!

Roadmap

✅ Implemented · 🔄 In progress · 📅 Planned

Versions are original planning targets and may change.

Status	Feature	Description	Version
✅	Standard imagery catalogue	Organize imagery using STAC, including records from the old catalogue.	v2.0-alpha
✅	Global coverage map	See where imagery is available and zoom in to preview it.	v2.0-alpha
✅	OAM Browser	Find, filter, preview, and download imagery in OAM's main browser.	v2.0
✅	Additional catalogue viewers	Explore the catalogue through STAC Map and STAC Browser.	–
✅	Mapping tool support	Use OAM imagery in QGIS and OpenStreetMap editors.	v2.2
✅	New uploader	Upload large imagery files or public file links, with HOT login and progress tracking.	v2.3
✅	New site soft launch	Offer the new OAM site alongside the old site.	–
✅	Offline downloads	Request supported imagery as MBTiles or PMTiles for offline use.	–
✅	Provider contribution page	Help imagery providers share their data with OAM.	–
✅	Basic statistics	Show imagery totals and coverage area.	–
✅	Elevation catalogue	Provide access to Copernicus GLO-30 elevation data.	–
✅	Documentation	Provide guides for using OAM and its mapping services.	v2.0-alpha
🔄	Complete site transition	Finish moving from the old OAM site to the new platform.	–
🔄	More imagery providers	Expand the catalogue with imagery from additional providers.	v2.4
📅	Advanced search	Add flexible date, image-detail, and cloud-cover filters.	v2.1
📅	Contributor tools	Let contributors edit imagery details, delete uploads, and view their contributions.	v2.3
📅	Broader catalogue discovery	Find imagery from more external catalogues in one place.	v2.2
📅	OpenDroneMap integration	Publish imagery directly from OpenDroneMap.	v2.4
📅	Public imagery statistics	Show coverage and growth by provider, year, and image detail.	v2.4
📅	More imagery types	Support multispectral and other specialized imagery.	v2.5
📅	Elevation and 3D uploads	Let contributors share elevation models and 3D point clouds.	v2.5
📅	More accurate maps	Improve imagery outlines, preview alignment, and coverage estimates.	–
📅	Easier imagery access	Make finished uploads easier to find and large downloads easier to use.	–
📅	Shared imagery management	Let organizations manage imagery together and preserve ownership from the old site.	–
📅	Usage and contributor impact	Show how OAM and contributed imagery are used.	–
📅	New imagery alerts	Notify users when imagery becomes available in areas they follow.	–
📅	Credits and impact stories	Recognize supporters and share examples of OAM's impact.	–