State of the Map 2026 conferences held in Paris and Madison

The State of the Map 2026 conferences took place in both Paris, France, and Madison, Wisconsin, bringing together the global OpenStreetMap community.

In Paris, attendees observed the social dynamics of the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF). Observations noted a missed opportunity for the OSMF leadership to engage in deeper, eye-level exchanges with the broader, more diverse community, potentially leaving unused knowledge and competency on the table.

In Madison, Stamen presented research regarding the current state of OSM cartography. The presentation detailed a census of tools, data sources, and workflows used by mappers. The study, which included 69 respondents, covered the entire mapping process from data collection and management to design, production, and online deployment.