History of the Mapeia Brazil Project

For some months I have been researching the quality of OpenStreetMap data in Brazil and noticed that many areas still lack updated information. Because of this, I decided to create a project focused especially on underrepresented regions, peripheral areas, and neighborhoods with incomplete or outdated data.

Thus, the Mapeia Brazil Project was born, initially covering 13 cities. The main focus is to update and correct information such as street names, as well as to include data not yet present on the map.

Objective

The Mapeia Brazil Project aims to improve road data in OpenStreetMap (OSM) in strategic cities across the country, ensuring greater quality, accuracy, and standardization of available information.

Main Actions:

• Mapping unnamed streets
• Correcting names of existing streets
• Adjusting road classifications (primary, secondary, tertiary, etc.)
• Geometric alignment of roads, when necessary
• Verification of residential streets that actually function as service roads

With these initiatives, the project seeks to provide updated and reliable data that can be used by ride-hailing drivers, delivery companies, residents, and public agencies.

OpenStreetMap is a collaborative and free-to-use map, open to anyone who wants to contribute — and Mapeia Brazil is part of this collective and civic effort.

The OpenStreetMap project’s central goal is to identify and correct areas that need updates in street names and road classification.

These improvements will directly benefit residents, pedestrians, drivers, delivery workers, and public managers, providing neighborhoods and cities with more reliable and accessible geographic information.

Methodology

The Mapeia Brazil Project adopts a collaborative and systematic methodology, based on free and open tools, aiming to ensure the quality and reliability of the data entered into OpenStreetMap.

Tools used:

• JOSM Editor – Advanced editor for geographic data.
• IBGE Data – Official reference source for street names, administrative boundaries, and other information.

Work Stages:

1. Collection – Gathering information through official sources (IBGE, public data) and local observations.
2. Verification – Comparing collected information with existing OpenStreetMap data.
3. Editing – Updating, correcting, and including data in the map using JOSM Editor.
4. Validation – Reviewing edits with tools such as OSMCha, ensuring consistency, standardization, and quality.

This methodology ensures that the mapping process is transparent, collaborative, and reliable, contributing to strengthening OpenStreetMap in Brazil.

Data Sources

The project will primarily use official IBGE data (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), especially information from Census 2022.

This data is available under the ODbL (Open Database License), allowing its use, adaptation, and integration into OpenStreetMap.

Estimated Streets to Map

Project Schedule

November 2025

• Goiânia
• Teresina
• Rio Branco

December 2025

• Manaus
• Salvador
• João Pessoa

January 2026

• São Luís
• Jaboatão dos Guararapes
• Aracaju

February 2026

• Natal
• Maceió
• Belo Horizonte
• São José do Rio Preto

Mapping Tracking

Official hashtags: #StreetNamesInBrazil #2025

"Street Name Mapping and Correction in Brazil 2025 #StreetNamesInBrazil #2025"

Closing and Final Results

• Final report with statistics.
• Publication on open platforms.
• Next steps (continuation, new cities).