Vgi

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) refers to geographic data created and shared by volunteers, often non-professional mappers, using digital mapping tools and the internet. VGI emphasizes participatory data production and collaborative validation, blending human observations with lightweight technologies such as smartphones, GPS devices, and online editors.

The concept emerged in the early 2000s and was popularized by Goodchild and colleagues, who highlighted the potential of laypeople to contribute detailed geographic information. The most prominent VGI project is OpenStreetMap, launched in 2004, which aggregates freely licensed street-level data contributed by volunteers.

Data characteristics: VGI data can vary in accuracy and completeness, reflecting contributor expertise and coverage; data are often editable, timestamped, and linked to contributor identities. Data quality is assessed through cross-validation, automated checks, and community governance. Open data licenses such as the Open Database License (ODbL) enable reuse.

Applications: humanitarian response, disaster management, urban planning, transportation, environmental monitoring, and cultural mapping.

Limitations and concerns: uneven geographic distribution, risk of vandalism or outdated data, privacy considerations, and the need for sustainable community engagement.