GIScience / Geoinformatics Research Group
The GIScience Research Group is engaged in innovative basic and applied research at the interface between geography and the computational sciences. We thereby focus on the investigation of user-generated geographical content (VGI, Crowdsourcing, Citizen Science), for which we develop innovative methods and analytical approaches.
More specifically, our thematic focuses are on volunteered geographic information (VGI), big spatial data analytics, smart mobility and humanitarian aid, such as disaster management.
Through the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT gGmbH) at Heidelberg University, we have the opportunity to translate our research work into practical solutions.
In addition, we support our institute's study programmes in geography with numerous courses on relevant GI methods that allow our students to formally specialize in geoinformatics.
Please note our vacancies.
Latest News
News from our daily work can be found at giscienceblog.uni-heidelberg.de (also available as RSS-Feed). You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date.
Solid waste pollution is the cause of many environmental and health risks, especially in areas where waste is generated in large quantities but cannot be properly disposed of. Knowledge of the size and location of dump sites is required to keep waste management efficient and low-cost. When the extent of these dump sites needs to […]
HeiGIT, the Colombian Red Cross (CRC), Colombia’s National University in Manizales (UNAL) and UBDC successfully ran the international workshop “Digitalizing Paper-based Participatory Risk Mapping with the Sketch Map Tool” at the IDRiM 2024 in Cartagena, Colombia on 29th of September 2024. This was the first time the conference was held in South America, with over […]
Rapid global urbanization is placing immense pressure on planners to make informed decisions that promote sustainable growth. A crucial aspect of this challenge is understanding how urban buildings are used. Traditionally, classifying the function of buildings—such as residential or commercial—relies on costly and subjective on-site surveys. However, advances in AI are poised to transform this […]
With thousands of people mapping in OSM every day, missing building data in urban centers is steadily decreasing. Since OSM is a widely used source for projects researching urban phenomena around the world, a good data quality and an even distribution are important factors. If a spatial bias is present but not accounted for, researchers […]
State of the Map is the annual event for all mappers and OpenStreetMap users. In 2024 the State of the Map conference will be taking place from September 6 to 8 in Nairobi, Kenya as well as online. The conference programme contains talks, workshops, discussion rounds and more. Four talks as well as a workshop […]
August 19th marks World Humanitarian Day (WHD) to recognize the efforts of humanitarian workers and to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers. One of many factors that are essential for effective humanitarian response and the security of people on site […]
Liebe Studierende,wir suchen am HeiGIT baldmöglichst eine studentische Hilfskraft (32-40h/Monat) zur Unterstützung in administrativen und organisatorischen Tätigkeiten. Die HeiGIT gGmbH ist ein gemeinnütziges Start-up mit dem Ziel des Technologietransfers und der angewandten Forschung im Bereich der Geoinformatik, insbesondere in Bereichen der humanitären Hilfe oder anderen gemeinnützigen Zwecken zum Wohle der Gesellschaft und der Umwelt. Aufgaben: […]
You are a highly motivated person who loves spatial data science? You want to use your expertise for the benefit of society and the environment – in particular stimulating Climate Action? You want to improve the availability and quality of geographic information for Climate Action and develop geoinformatics methods used for related open, non-profit applications? […]
August 9 marks a turning point for the global mapping community: the 20th anniversary of OpenStreetMap (OSM). For two decades, OSM has revolutionized the way we perceive and interact with maps, transforming them from static representations to dynamic, community-driven resources. OpenStreetMap began as a visionary project aimed at creating a free, editable map of the […]
Knoblauch, S; Su Yin, M.; Chatrinan, Krittin; Rocha, Antonio A. de A.; Haddawy, P.; Biljecki, F.; Lautenbach, S.; Resch, B.; Arifi, D.; Jänisch, T.; Morales, I.; and Zipf, A published the paper ‘High-resolution mapping of urban Aedes aegypti immature abundance through breeding site detection based on satellite and street view imagery’ in Nature Scientific Reports. […]
HeiGIT and PLANUM, are happy to announce their cooperation in the field of climate action. PLANUM is committed to driving positive change through innovative engineering solutions. The company specializes in sustainable planning, making them a crucial partner in our pursuit of creating impactful and practical solutions to combat climate change. At HeiGIT, the newly established […]
Pictures of the Group
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in 2017
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in 2014
GIScience team at a retreat at Trifels-Annweiler in February 2013
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in June 2012
In Memoriam Peter Meusburger
On 18 December 2017, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Meusburger died far too soon. We mourn for a great scientist, teacher and colleague. In the mid 90s he implemented the first GIS pool at Heidelberg University and started GIS related research. He will not be forgotten. ((Message of the University)
