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Web GIS

Modernising legacy web GIS applications

Move an ageing map application to a maintainable React/Next.js front end with MapLibre GL, keeping the data services and the users' workflows intact.

At a glance

Typical duration
6-16 weeks
Engagement
Fixed-scope project
Ideal for
  • Organisations running older Tethys, GeoNode or custom map portals
  • Programmes whose original developers have moved on
  • Teams that need mobile-friendly, accessible map tools
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The problem

Many operational map tools were built years ago on frameworks that are now hard to maintain, slow on mobile and difficult to extend. The data behind them is still valuable and users depend on them, so a rewrite has to be planned carefully: what to keep, what to drop and how to switch over without breaking anything.

What you get

  • Audit of the existing application, data services and usage
  • Migration plan with a feature map from old to new
  • React/Next.js application with MapLibre GL JS (or OpenLayers where it fits better)
  • Re-used or cleaned-up GeoServer/THREDDS services and APIs
  • Accessibility, responsive layout and performance improvements
  • Parallel run and switch-over support, with documentation

How it works

  1. 1

    Audit

    Review the current code, layers, services and server setup, and talk to users about which features they rely on.

  2. 2

    Plan

    Agree the target stack, the feature list for the first release and how data services will be reused or refactored.

  3. 3

    Rebuild

    Build the new front end in increments against the existing services, releasing early versions for user feedback.

  4. 4

    Switch over

    Run old and new side by side, fix gaps, then retire the old application and document the new one.

Tools

  • React
  • Next.js
  • TypeScript
  • MapLibre GL JS
  • OpenLayers
  • Vue.js
  • GeoServer
  • PostgreSQL/PostGIS
  • Git

Related work

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Countries: Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan

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ICIMOD · 2019–2021

A portfolio of Tethys applications and the data pipelines behind them

Developed and deployed dozens of Tethys web applications at ICIMOD, including a Watershed Characterization System for Afghanistan, backed by automated ETL from Google Earth Engine, NetCDF/HDF, THREDDS and PostGIS.

Countries: Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan

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