Mapzen Explained

Mapzen, founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York City, was an open source mapping platform company focused on the core components of geo platforms, including search (geocoding), rendering (vector tiles),^[1] navigation/routing, and data. Mapzen's components are used by OpenStreetMap, CartoDB, and Remix, amongst others.^{[2] [3]} The components, hosted on GitHub, are written in JavaScript, Ruby, Java, and Python.^[4] Mapzen's CEO, Randy Meech, was previously SVP of engineering for MapQuest.^[5] Mapzen was supported by Samsung Research America and was known to have hired mapping specialists from Apple.^[6]

Mapzen shut down operations in late January, 2018.^{[7] [8]}

On the 28th of January 2019 The Linux Foundation announced Mapzen would become a Linux Foundation Project.^[9]

Projects

Mapzen's hosted products were powered by open-source components, including:

• Pelias - a geocoder/search engine
• Tangram - a set of cross-platform 3D map rendering libraries
• Tilezen - vector map tiles based on OpenStreetMap data
• Valhalla - a multi-modal routing engine
• Transitland - an open transit data platform that aggregates GTFS feeds
• Who's on First - a gazetteer

External links

• Mapzen · an open, sustainable, and accessible mapping platform
• Documentation · Mapzen

Notes and References

1. News: Bliss . Laura . Interactive Maps Can Now Get the 'Matrix' Treatment . Bloomberg.com . 2015-05-12 . 2017-08-16.
2. Web site: Mapzen - OpenStreetMap Wiki. wiki.openstreetmap.org.
3. Web site: Made With Mapzen · Mapzen. www.mapzen.com.
4. Web site: Mapzen. GitHub.
5. https://www.linkedin.com/in/randymeech/
6. Web site: AppleInsider . [//appleinsider.com/articles/15/06/30/samsung-subsidiary-hiring-apple-cartographers-designers-for-maps-initiative Samsung subsidiary Mapzen hiring Apple cartographers, designers for maps initiative ]. AppleInsider . 2015-06-30 . 2017-08-16.
7. Web site: Mapzen Shutdown :(· Mapzen. www.mapzen.com.
8. Marshall . Aarian . An Open Source Startup Dies, But Mapping Is Still Hotter Than Ever . WIRED . 9 August 2018.
9. Web site: Mapzen Open Source Data and Software for Real-Time Mapping Applications to Become A Linux Foundation Project. 2019-01-28. The Linux Foundation. en-US. 2019-01-28.