Ordnance Survey (OS) has announced its Data Hub APIs are now open to public sector bodies. In a press release, OS stated:
“today over 5,500 public sector organisations now have direct and immediate access to OS’s most detailed and trusted location data via a suite of APIs which will transform how geospatial data is used to support government policy and underpin public services.”
The OS Data Hub will provide free-at-the-point-of-use APIs making it quicker for public organisations to connect directly with a range of datasets. According to Chris Chambers, Head of the Public Sector Geospatial Agrrement at OS:
“Over the last 10 months we have seen location data play an important role in supporting the public sector’s response to Covid-19. The pandemic has highlighted how vital it is that high quality geospatial data is easily and quickly accessible to all users.”
The OS Data Hub was launched in July 2020, attracting 2,355 registered users in the first 3 months with 1,845 of them new to OS. Over this period, API users carried out over 40 million transactions with a 100% monthly increase in transactions.
The APIs available via the OS Data Hub include:
OS Maps API– allows easy integrations of OS mapping into apps and websites, including OS MasterMap Topography Layer and 1:25 000 Scale Colour Raster.
OS Vector Tile API – enables designers and developers to create slick, quick vector maps that are fully customisable. The API gives users the ability to tailor the style to make the perfect map, specific to customer needs. The vector tile service allows users to tilt the map and display extruded features in three dimensions.
OS Features API –provides direct access to OS MasterMap, taking full advantage of precise geometries and rich attributes to generate new insight. There are many data layers available via the API which users can filter and select based on location or attribution, such as buildings, roads and greenspaces.
OS Downloads API –allows users to download OS OpenData products direct to their machines.
OS Names API– an accurate location look-up service including place names, postcodes, roads and much more.
OS Linked Identifiers API – provides access to the valuable relationships between properties, streets and OS MasterMap features.
OS Places API – a secure, scalable and resilient address look-up web service. OS Places API lets you search the UK’s most comprehensive online address database.