Course content
Introduction to OGC API: Building the Future of Geospatial Data Access
In today’s digital landscape, location is at the heart of nearly every decision, from climate research and urban planning to navigation and logistics. Yet, as geospatial data becomes more abundant and diverse, the challenge lies in making it interoperable, accessible, and usable across systems, organizations, and platforms. This is where the OGC API standards come in.
The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) has reimagined how we interact with spatial data through a new generation of web APIs designed for simplicity, scalability, and modern web integration. Replacing older OGC Web Services (like WMS, WFS, and WCS), OGC API standards use RESTful principles, JSON, and OpenAPI to bring geospatial capabilities into the mainstream of web development. They make it easier than ever to connect maps, sensors, 3D models, and analytical tools—using the same technologies that power today’s web applications.
This course introduces you to the concepts, structure, and real-world use of OGC APIs. You’ll learn how OGC API – Features, Tiles, Maps, and Processes work together to expose geospatial data and functionality in a standardized, developer-friendly way. Through hands-on exercises and practical demonstrations, you’ll publish, query, and visualize spatial data using modern APIs and explore how these standards fit into cloud architectures and open data ecosystems.
Whether you’re a GIS professional, software developer, or decision-maker, this course provides a solid foundation for working with the future of spatial data sharing. By the end, you’ll understand not only how OGC APIs work but also why they represent a major step toward a more open, interoperable, and efficient geospatial web.
