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I'm developing an Android travel app for Dublin.
I have a list of POIs downloaded from OpenStreetMap.
When I select some object from the list I need to display detailed info about this object: description, photo, web address ...

I'm looking for an analogue of "Place Details" in Google Maps.
Can I use OpenStreetMap to get detailed info about an object by API query?

I'm only at the planning stage, I can't provide code now.

asked 16 Nov '18, 19:15

adgeuk's gravatar image

adgeuk
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accept rate: 0%

edited 19 Nov '18, 21:35

aseerel4c26's gravatar image

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k18248554

The answer's probably "yes", but can you give an example of the sort of thing that you want to do so that someone will be able able to give an example in return?

(16 Nov '18, 19:21) SomeoneElse ♦

If you have the OpenStreetMap node ID for a point of interest, the OSM API will give you all the details that OSM mappers have recorded for that node:

https://www.openstreetmap.org/api/0.6/way/98700471

However, note:

  1. Node IDs are not stable, so you might find that a query that works one day doesn't work the next.
  2. The API at openstreetmap.org is intended for editing use only. If you are planning use in an app other than an OSM editor, you should use an alternative (such as Overpass API), a third-party service, or something you host yourself.
  3. OSM only has the details its contributors have supplied. It does not store photos. You probably won't get all the detail you expect from a commercial POI database like Google's.

So instead of using the openstreetmap.org API, a better approach is to download OSM's raw data (in .osm.pbf format, typically in regional extracts from download.geofabrik.de) and process it to extract the data you want. If this is too difficult, you could consider using a third party that provides services from OSM data - mapcat.com is one example with a relevant service.

permanent link

answered 19 Nov '18, 18:10

Richard's gravatar image

Richard ♦
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accept rate: 18%

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question asked: 16 Nov '18, 19:15

question was seen: 3,918 times

last updated: 19 Nov '18, 21:35

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum