Web Mapping and Web GIS tools & applications

Understanding the environment as an integrated system of natural and human resources is a key requirement for engineering practice, yet environmental interpretation often remains descriptive rather than analytical. This paper proposes an engineering-oriented approach to the assessment and communication of environmental resources, combining structured evaluation with map-based documentation and public-oriented communication. The proposed framework is based on the identification, description, and prioritization of environmental resources in terms of their significance, constraints, and development potential, under the additional pressure of the climate crisis. Emphasis is placed on the use of geospatial information not for advanced spatial analysis, but as a means to support interpretation, substantiate evaluation, and organize environmental knowledge within a system-oriented perspective. A central component of the approach is results communication to non-specialist audiences. Interactive, web-based geospatial environments, such as Story Maps, are used to translate complex environmental information into accessible spatial narratives, enabling user engagement and exploration, while bridging the gap between expert knowledge and public understanding. The methodology is demonstrated through the case study of Nisyros, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The island provides a representative environment where diverse natural and human resources can be examined in relation to geomorphological processes, volcanic activity, and climate-related pressures. The case study illustrates how the proposed framework can be applied in practice, supporting both structured environmental assessment and effective communication. Implemented within an educational context, the approach supports place-based learning and the development of environmental narratives grounded in spatial evidence. The paper contributes to current discussions in geography and engineering education by linking environmental analysis with communication practices and societal relevance.

The coastal zone constitutes one of the most dynamic and complex geographical environments, concentrating intense human activity, rich ecosystems, and significant infrastructure. In recent years, due to climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing pressure from human interventions, the issue of coastal vulnerability has come to the forefront, leading to a wide range of scientific studies and applications focusing on the identification, prediction, and management of the impacts of these phenomena. Within this context, the assessment and mapping of coastal vulnerability constitute a critical issue, both for the protection of human societies and economic activities and for the preservation of natural heritage. This study focuses on calculating and mapping the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for the island of Lesvos to evaluate the vulnerability of its coastline. Three different spatial analysis methods were applied: a fine-resolution fishnet grid (200m x 200m), a coarser fishnet grid (1,000m x 1,000m), and a transect-based approach. The analysis incorporated eight critical variables that significantly influence coastal vulnerability. Results highlighted specific coastal segments with high and low vulnerability, while comparisons among the methods revealed important differences in spatial accuracy and level of detail. In addition, an interactive web mapping application was developed using the Mapbox platform, integrating the outputs of all three methods. The application visualizes the CVI and its underlying parameters and provides tools for data filtering, thematic analysis, and comparison of different spatial datasets. Moreover, the application’s interactive environment facilitates a deeper understanding of coastal vulnerability at both the island-wide scale of Lesvos and the local scale of individual coastal segments. By enabling dynamic visualization, thematic exploration, and comparative spatial analysis, the platform supports informed decision-making and contributes to the development of well-founded conclusions for the effective management of the study area.

As the frequency of climate-related environmental disasters increases, the need for accessible geospatial intelligence becomes vital for effective land management and disaster response. This study presents a practical workflow for developing a WebGIS prototype that incorporates satellite data into a functional decision-making tool. By leveraging open-access multispectral imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite, the proposed system offers a comprehensive approach to crop health monitoring, combining continuous monitoring of water stress with the subsequent assessment of fire damage. The methodology relies on the processing of spectral indices within the QGIS environment. Specifically, the platform visualizes spatial patterns of crop vigor and water stress through indices like NDVI and NDWI, enabling the detection of areas requiring irrigation or intervention. Additionally, the dNBR index is used to generate detailed damage assessment maps, which categorize prone areas into different severity levels providing a clear overview of a fire’s impact. The core innovation of the study lies in the integration of these complex datasets into a simplified web interface. This allows users without specialized knowledge to monitor environmental risks, such as crop drought or fire damage, using an interactive map. By using open-source software and publicly available data, the system ensures broad applicability, for various areas of interest and time periods. The results demonstrate that the combination of satellite remote sensing and web-based mapping can bridge the gap between research and practice. Ultimately, this tool helps small farmers as well as larger agricultural communities make evidence-based decisions by providing easy access to accurate maps and supporting them address contemporary environmental risks.

Hazard interactions are increasingly recognized as a central component of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), due to their unforeseen and amplified consequences. Different types of interdependency networks exist, particularly when a secondary hazard is triggered immediately after a primary event, manifests in the aftermath through increased probability induced by the primary event, or occurs in parallel as a concurrent hazard within overlapping spatial and temporal domains. Despite the growing body of literature on multi-hazard assessment and predefined hazard interaction scenarios, a significant gap remains in the development of dynamic computational tools that enables the systematic exploration of hazard interrelations based on historical event data. To address this gap, this study develops a web-based geospatial tool that represents diachronic hazard events in Greece as nodes within a spatio-temporal framework. The dataset consists of officially recorded hazard events, which were extracted from authoritative text sources and integrated into a geodatabase through AI-assisted processes for data extraction, normalization, and standardization of spatial and temporal attributes (place, date, and time). Hazard interactions derived from the literature are encoded as edges within a dependency graph structure, with distinct interaction types (e.g., triggering, increased probability, and concurrent occurrence) explicitly represented. The tool enables the selection of individual hazard events so as their potential secondary interconnections to be explored within user-defined spatial distance thresholds and temporal constraints. As the spatial radius is adjusted, additional potentially related hazard events become visible, enabling a progressive exploration of multi-hazard dependencies, and the construction of dynamic dependency graphs across hazard sequences. The proposed framework provides a novel decision-support and exploratory tool for multi-hazard analysis, which contributes to risk assessment and dynamic interdependency modeling by bridging theoretical hazard interaction knowledge with empirical geospatial data.

This initiative presents an open-source WebGIS architecture for publishing spatial datasets as interactive, free and open web platforms. The framework will be demonstrated through Coastal Lagoons of Earth (lagoons.vercel.app), an interactive, web-based repository of coastal lagoons, structured as a dynamic, node-based geoinformatics system. The WebGIS framework consists of 3 major layers: the Leaflet-based map, the Supabase (Postgress, PostGIS) database, and the vanilla Javascript, alongside the custom User Interface (UI) components. The frontend is lightweight and fast, providing an appealing user experience through the interactive map, nodes, modals, filters, statistics, etc.. Through the example project, at macro scales, lagoons are visualized as discrete nodes color-coded to denote their projected 2100 inundation risk under varying climatic scenarios, while upon high-resolution zoom, these nodes transition to reveal precise polygon geometries. Interacting with any individual lagoon node triggers a detailed modal interface exposing its underlying data. The platform excels in real-time spatial, statistical and analysis, allowing users to refine datasets via multi-criteria filtering that utilizes interactive categorical lists alongside dynamic sliders for numerical variables. Based on these active filters, the system automatically calculates dynamic interactive plots per variable, while at the same time supporting global searches, variable-specific database queries, and advanced filtering. Client-server communication follows a standard HTTPS request–response pattern through parameterized calls to a web API of predefined functions. Additionally, the entire infrastructure is version-controlled via GitHub and deployed through Vercel. As a proof of concept, the application currently hosts a dataset of 152 Greek lagoons, while similar projects utilizing this scalable framework, like Historic Floods (HistoricFloods.org), seamlessly support 2,000+ flood events as nodes. Ultimately, this architecture provides a highly reproducible, cost-free blueprint for converting complex datasets into visually engaging, dynamic web platforms.

This paper describes the ongoing development of an interactive, web-based platform designed for effective exploration of map projections. This web-based tool aims to serve mainly as a robust educational resource, helping university students better understand and interpret the mathematical foundations of map design. Specifically, a dynamic, user-friendly interface is introduced that enables users to compare and visualize different map projections in real time, supporting a more intuitive understanding of their properties and differences. The platform supports the core categories of map projections, including equidistant, conformal, and equal-area projections, alongside representative examples of transverse projections. Furthermore, it is designed to be extensible, allowing the future integration of additional geospatial datasets, utilizing well-known file formats, as well as new projection types, ensuring long-term adaptability within evolving digital learning environments. The platform is developed using the Julia programming language, which was selected for its high-performance numerical computing capabilities and suitability for scientific applications. The web tool allows users to interactively adjust map projection parameters, switch between projection types, and immediately observe the resulting spatial distortions through Tissot’s indicatrix. This capability fosters a deeper understanding through direct visual feedback and interactive experimentation. In practice, our web tool bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application, encouraging self-directed learning through side-by-side comparative visual analysis. We anticipate that its public release will significantly enhance user engagement and facilitate a deeper understanding of the complex mathematical concepts involved in map creation. In a nutshell, this work advances geospatial education by combining modern programming practices with an extensible and interactive learning framework for academic use. Future work involves evaluating the platform in real-world settings through usability studies, aiming to assess its effectiveness in supporting geospatial education and improving learning outcomes.

Buildings constitute a critical geospatial data layer that can be used to calculate construction density and distribution, assess urbanization, and evaluate land use corresponding to urban coverage. At the same time, in the context of civil protection, they constitute valuable data for assessing cities' vulnerability and resilience. In this work, building data for Greece is derived from three sources of open data: official geospatial data provided by the Digital Building Stock Model (DBSM) of the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission, Volunteered Geographic Information provided by OpenStreetMap, and data collected with artificial intelligence from satellite images provided by Microsoft Global ML Buildings. Each dataset has different characteristics. OSM Buildings are VGI collected by citizens; DBSM includes data from official and VGI sources that have been harmonized and checked; and Microsoft ML Buildings are collected using machine learning tools with minimal human intervention. For comparison and evaluation of the datasets, several measures are applied, including Total Building Area, Coverage Percentage, Average Building Area, Total building area ratio and the Overlap Index based on building areas or on buildings' centers of gravity between two datasets. The results are presented in a geovisual analysis environment implemented with a map-centric dashboard that includes indicators, graphs, selectors and maps. The analysis and visualization of the data are implemented at multiple levels: at the three administrative divisions of Greece (regions, regional units and municipal units) and at a larger scale across three hexagonal grids (10 km², 5 km² and 1 km²). The web application (https://tinyurl.com/buildingsgr) is a valuable tool for acquiring information and evaluating open data for buildings in Greece. Several conclusions are derived regarding the distribution of buildings and the data sources.

In this work, we explore the development of Web-GIS tools for proximity-based planning and X-minute city analysis, focusing on both their potential and inherent challenges. We present a suite of open-access tools—CThood, CTstreets, and CTwalk—that capture accessibility to services and amenities, as well as street-level walkability, using network-based methods and open datasets (e.g., street networks, points of interest, elevation, and street-level imagery). Applications in European cities, including Amsterdam, Athens, and Stockholm, illustrate how such approaches can generate high-resolution insights into spatial accessibility patterns. Building on the development and application of these tools, we transfer key lessons learned regarding the design, implementation, and use of Web-GIS-based accessibility systems. In particular, we reflect on challenges related to data quality, modelling assumptions, and the difficulty of capturing complex and context-dependent aspects of urban experience. Drawing on recent work on walkability tool design, we further discuss issues of interpretability, alignment with planning needs, and the translation of analytical outputs into meaningful insights. Overall, the presentation highlights how proximity-based accessibility tools can support planning practice, while emphasizing the need for informed, context-aware, and user-oriented development.

Indoor Mapping is a rapidly growing field of modern cartography, primarily focusing on the representation of complex, multi-level building structures (such as universities, hospitals, airports, shopping malls, etc.). Compared to traditional cartography, cartographic visualization of interior spaces has to face additional challenges such as high scale geometric detail, the resulting increased complexity of spatial layout and the need for clear thematic organization of the information regarding each building. This paper examines the cartographic representation of interior spaces, with an emphasis on cartographic design and visualization of spatial information within a university building complex, and more specifically, the buildings of the School of Rural, Surveying & Geoinformatics Engineering, at the National Technical University of Athens. In order to create an online web map of the school’s facilities, architectural drawings of the buildings were utilized; these were appropriately processed and updated through on-site inspections to accurately reflect the current condition and use of the buildings. The design methodology was based on the cartographic principles of generalizing the geometry of the original architectural plan, thematically categorizing the spaces and developing a visual hierarchy. The final cartographic representation is achieved through a combination of area and point symbolization, aiming at a clear distinction among uses and functions of space, as well as ensuring optimal readability by the user. At the same time, the ability of actual built environment representation is provided as a supplemental feature, preserving its basic structural characteristics. The final result of this work is a coherent cartographic model for the visualization of interior spaces, which can serve as the basis for creating maps of more complex building environments, as well as for navigation applications.

This presentation introduces a Historical GIS (HGIS) approach for transforming the 1832/33 Ottoman Property Survey of Cyprus into an interactive web application. Developed as part of the ECOLAND project, it focuses on the technical and methodological processes required to convert property survey records into a structured geospatial dataset suitable for analysis and web-based visualization. The research involves data modeling, the design and implementation of an object-relational spatial database, the transcription of archival material, and the systematic treatment of historical terminology and toponymy, including property categories and ownership information. Settlement names recorded in the Ottoman registers were geocoded using multiple sources, including historical maps and modern gazetteers. The resulting database is integrated into an interactive web application built with open-source technologies, supporting advanced text search and filtering of property records based on multiple criteria, such as property type, land use, and settlement affiliation, as well as map-based visualization. These functionalities facilitate the exploration and interpretation of spatial patterns. The paper outlines the workflow from transcription to web deployment, highlighting challenges related to spatial uncertainty and data interoperability. By linking database design, historical data processing, and web application development, the study demonstrates how Ottoman property surveys can be integrated into modern geospatial infrastructures, contributing to the broader use of archival sources in digital cartography and geospatial research. A short live demonstration will be included.

The present study explores the implementation of ArcGIS Online as a powerful digital tool for the interactive mapping and public dissemination of Nikos Kazantzakis' extensive travel history. By leveraging the cloud-based capabilities of the ArcGIS platform, the project transitions static geographical data into dynamic web-based environments, facilitating a deeper understanding of the spatial dimensions of the author's work. A central component of this application is the creation of Web Maps and Web Applications, which allow for the seamless visualization of travel routes and significant stops across different continents. Through the integration of Story Maps, the project effectively combines cartographic precision with narrative depth, incorporating multimedia elements such as photographs and textual excerpts to create an immersive biographical experience. Furthermore, the platform’s interactive analysis features, including advanced filters and queries, enable users to explore specific chronological periods or geographical regions of interest, offering a personalized engagement with Kazantzakis’ journeys. The use of Web Services ensures that the mapping data remains scalable and updatable, while the inherent accessibility of ArcGIS Online promotes the widespread sharing of this "cultural map" for educational and research purposes. Ultimately, the application of these digital humanities tools provides an innovative framework for analyzing the intersection between geography and literature, highlighting how the physical landscapes Kazantzakis traversed influenced his intellectual and artistic evolution. By providing an open-access interactive viewer, the study democratizes geographical knowledge and offers a modern pedagogical approach to studying one of Greece’s most significant literary figures through the lens of modern Geoinformatics.