Case Study

Reijers Cartografie

Reijers Cartografie case study

Reijers Cartografie now creates custom cycling and walking maps faster

The large open geodatabase OpenStreetMap (OSM) is pretty much considered the Wikipedia of cartography: a global map that almost everyone in the world contributes to. To efficiently incorporate OpenStreetMap’s underlying data into its maps, Reijers Cartografie enlisted the help of technology partner Nordend. It wasn’t the first time the two companies had worked together, and for good reason: “We clearly speak the same language.”

The Dutch family business Reijers Cartografie – formerly known as Reijers Kaartproducties – specializes in producing a wide variety of maps and plans. “From cycling, hiking and other route maps to city maps and country maps, whatever cartographic product you are looking for, we can help,” say Lisa Goes-Reijers and Leon Goes. In early 2023, they took over the business from Lisa’s father, who founded the cartographic firm.

Additional data source

The new business owners had been looking for a way to simplify and facilitate the integration of OpenStreetMap data into their maps for some time. “More specifically, we needed a solution for creating tourist cycling and hiking maps with OSM data,” Lisa explains. “In fact, that’s an additional data source for us,” Leon stresses. “If the client requests a topographic map, we’ll almost always begin with land registry data. But that data isn’t always complete, so we’d like to be able to supplement it with an OSM dataset.”

OSM data has the benefit of being freely available. Since it doesn’t stop at national borders, it also provides more information than national maps. However, these databases are highly complex and often chaotic, requiring structuring before anything can be done with them. “For example, we always had to download the OSM data for the whole of Belgium,” Lisa recalls, “even though we only needed a small part of that area for our map.” In addition, OSM data is constantly changing, which is why it’s important to regularly re-import it.

‘Nordend has made it possible for us to create a map base using OSM data in a relatively simple way, which is both complete and up to date.’

Lisa Goes-Reijers, co-owner of Reijers Cartografie

Efficiency Improvement

“For us, it was crucial to be able to adapt the data to our clients’ needs,” Lisa clarifies. “Since that wasn’t working so well with the various data sources we were already using, which also worked with OSM data, we decided to try working directly with OSM data.”

To do this, Reijers Cartografie enlisted the services of Nordend, a specialist in building efficient processes for spatial and geographic data. Nordend used the FME platform for data integration and transformation, developed by Safe Software. “Thanks to Nordend, we can now use OSM data to create a map base that is both complete and up to date, in a relatively simple way,” Lisa explains.

“Nordend also made it easy to manipulate that data to our liking,” Leon adds. “We create quite a few maps annually, and we don’t want to have to repeat the same steps each time just to shape or visualize data a certain way. With FME software, those data workflows are now automated, which has created quite a few efficiency gains.”

Structuring and exporting

In practical terms, Nordend structured the OSM data in a PostGIS database, from which Reijers Cartografie can efficiently export it. These exports come in a format that can be opened and edited in Illustrator.

Nordend structured the OSM data using filtering and mapping, and exported the various layers as tables: roads, railroads, bridges and water, for example. “There were quite a few simplifications and generalizations made during this process,” Lisa explains. “For example, there are a lot of small waterways and boundaries in that OSM data that we don’t really need. All that redundant data has been cleaned up, leaving only the borders and waterways that are relevant to us. Several data points have also been merged to produce a dataset we can still modify further. That’s what’s most important for us: having the flexibility to create custom maps for each client.”

‘Like us, Nordend has very short lines of communications. This allows them to respond very quickly to our questions and problems, and often even anticipate them.’

Leon Goes, co-owner of Reijers Cartografie

Repeatable standard process

Nordend also created a web app in which Reijers Cartografie can upload a particular section of the desired map. The app then exports the subset of data associated with the loaded section, after which Reijers Cartografie can further edit and finish it graphically. The app can be used at any time with a new selection to export relevant data. The specific data required for further map development was established in consultation with Reijers Cartografie.

Finally, Nordend’s solution is also a standard process that Reijers Cartografie can apply to OSM data for any country. Unlike national maps, this solution is not limited to any one country.

Expertise builds trust

Both business owners are visibly pleased to have partnered with Nordend again for this project. “We had undertaken a project with them previously, which had been a very positive experience,” Lisa recalls. “The fact that their consultants have mapping expertise is incredibly valuable to us. Not only does it make them knowledgeable enough to advise us and really think along with us, it also creates a bond of trust immediately.”

There was also an instant match in terms of company culture. “Like us, Nordend has very short lines of communications. This allows them to respond very quickly to our questions and problems, and often even anticipate them. Our products are constantly changing, so it’s reassuring to have a partner who can quickly adapt alongside us,” Leon concludes.

Reijers Cartografie