OGC Seeks Public Comment on OGC API – Maps – Part 1: Core Candidate Standard

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) seeks public comment on the candidate OGC API – Maps – Part 1: Core Standard. Comments are due by March 6, 2024.

The OGC API – Maps – Part 1: Core Standard defines a Web API that can serve spatially referenced electronic maps, whether they are static or rendered dynamically, in a manner independent of the underlying data store.

Implementations of the OGC API – Maps Standard are designed for a client to easily:

• Request a visual representation of one or more geospatial data layers in different styles; 
• Select by area, time, and resolution of interest; 
• Define the scale, orientation, coordinate reference system, background and transparency, display pixel size, or a subset of the map using simple parameters.

Discovery operations defined by the Standard enable clients to determine the capabilities of a map server, including its API definition, metadata about the available data layers, and supported Coordinate Reference System(s).

Retrieval operations defined by the Standard enable clients to retrieve: a map of an arbitrary geospatial resource using a default or predefined style; a dataset representing the full content available via the Maps API endpoint; or an individual collection of geospatial data representing part of the dataset.

OGC API – Maps uses current web best practices to address use cases similar to those addressed by the popular OGC Web Map Service (WMS) Standard.

OGC API – Maps forms part of the broader OGC API family of Standards. The OGC API Standards define modular API building blocks to spatially enable Web APIs in a consistent way. OpenAPI is used to define the reusable API building blocks with responses in JSON and HTML. To learn more about how the family of OGC API Standards work together to provide modular “building blocks for location” that address both simple and the most complex use-cases, visit ogcapi.org.

OGC Members interested in staying up to date on the progress of this standard, or contributing to its development, are encouraged to join the OGC API – Maps Standards Working Group via the OGC Portal. Non-OGC members who would like to know more about participating in this SWG are encouraged to contact the OGC Standards Program.

The candidate OGC API – Maps – Part 1: Core Standard (20-058) (.PDF) is available for review and comment on the OGC Portal. Comments are due by March 6, 2024, and should be submitted via the method below.

To Comment: Comments can be submitted as an issue on the OGC API – Maps GitHub repository for a period ending on the “Close request date” listed above. Comments received will be consolidated and reviewed by OGC members for incorporation into the document.