History of changes

Dickrich · 2012-05-30T11:17:56.000Z

Dear all,

I’ve been following and using OSM for a long time now - great work everybody!

I was just wondering if one topic has ever been considered:
Is there a chance to see more than just the newest version of the map? E.g., if a new highway is built, other streets and paths may change as well. In my opinion, it would be very interesting to see the influence of such infrastructure changes and be able to compare before and after. It could be used to display the development of cities, land use and similar.

However, if a new highway is mapped, all information from before is lost - or did I miss something?
Does anyone have information or a link on that topic?

Thanks,

Christian

stephan75 · 2012-05-30T15:35:18.000Z

There has been a service: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Historical_Coverage … but out of order now.

If you map a new highway, and before there was nothing there, then nothing is lost, because new data was added.

If you change or delete an OSM object, its chronic is saved for each version. These old versions can also be dispplayed and even compared for single elements.

misabrzi · 2012-05-30T17:54:00.000Z

You can use http://planet.openstreetmap.org/ also, in history folder you can find all planet files sorted by year. How to use Planet files can be found at http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Planet.osm#Technical_notes.

Ricardo_Rodríguez · 2017-08-17T12:32:59.000Z

Hi!

And what if I want to map a feature that does not longer exist? For instance, we do have a number of pieces of evidence based on the ancient documentation about land use in an area of great interest for your local community. Is there a way of “time tagging”, let’s say, a given use of an area?

Thanks!

SomeoneElse · 2017-08-17T14:33:23.000Z

http://www.openhistoricalmap.org is now working again (although some data that was added before the server crashed was lost).

escada · 2017-08-18T03:51:22.000Z

@Ricardo Rodriguez: as far as OSM is considered, we only map what is still there. So we map ruins, but as soon as the last stone disappeared, you have to use the OpenHistorialMap that SomeoneElse mentioned.

The only exception to this rules seems to be railways, as one can still see cutlines or embankments when all the rails are removed.
Although I prefer to map the embankments and cutlines, rather than the demolished railway.

Ricardo_Rodríguez · 2017-08-18T08:12:55.000Z

Thanks @escada and @SomeoneElse!

I’ll keep an eye on OpenHistoricalMap trying to understand how it relates with OSM. Conceptually is for me weird to have a project registering all and any edition on the representation of the present, OSM, and a different project for historical mapping, OHM! After all, yesterday is already history

I miss a time tag or something similar within OSM…

Anna20234 · 2023-11-16T22:43:28.402Z

Hi everybody, I am new here and I want to know how I can find school features/locations which have been deleted in the last years (and why)?

I saw that I can use Planet files for each year but I wonder if there is an easier option then going through each year?

I also checked out OpenHistoricalMap, however in my area of interest (syria) there are no changes overall

OpenHistoricalMap

SimonPoole · 2023-11-17T11:07:10.941Z

https://dashboard.ohsome.org/ should be able to help you.