https://video.osgeo.org/videos/watch/152c773d-abf3-4baf-a4e6-3fad69cd68f3 In 2015, the City of São Paulo launched GeoSampa, a platform providing access to cadastral data, maps, satellite imagery, and information on zoning, land use, infrastructure, and public spaces, designed for both municipal technicians and the general public. GeoSampa functions as a shared data repository, enabling departments to update and integrate their information. A notable example was the Licensing Department, which in 2015 presented a geographic database solution using open-source software (Linux, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Python, QGIS) to manage land subdivision processes. These initiatives solved long-standing problems, streamlined workflows, and emphasized the importance of a data-sharing culture among public agencies. The experience was later cataloged by CEBRAP in the COPI-COLA program , highlighting the efficiency, cost savings, and collaborative potential of open-source approaches. This presentation focuses on two technical code examples developed within this context, showing how open-source tools brought practical benefits to public administration. Example 1 – Airport Protection Zones (ZPA) Ordinance No. 957/GC3 of 2015, issued by the Brazilian Aeronautics Command (COMAER), defined guidelines for Airport Protection Zones (ZPA) to prevent land-use conflicts around airports. In practice, however, the high volume of licensing requests created bottlenecks: if all cases were evaluated by DECEA, approval times would rise dramatically. To address this, a geographic system was developed using Linux, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and QGIS, validated with DECEA technicians. The system automatically selected only the cases located within critical areas requiring DECEA’s action, while excluding others. This reduced DECEA’s workload, accelerated approvals, and improved data security, showing how geoprocessing can streamline legal and administrative processes. Example 2 – Street Width and Land Use Compliance Article 131 of Law No. 16.402/2016 requires classification of property uses as permitted or not, based on zone and street width. Street width is defined as the distance between property alignments, including roadway and sidewalks. At the time, the City’s street-width database (2018) covered only 35–40% of streets, with inconsistent measurements taken at random points, preventing reliable application of the law. Missing data required in loco measurements by subprefecture staff, leading to inefficiency and delays. To optimize this process, scripts were developed in PyQGIS, integrating Python with QGIS APIs. The algorithm traced geometries across all street segments, calculating minimum widths based on block nodes. This automated approach did not eliminate the need for fieldwork but significantly reduced it, increasing reliability and ensuring better enforcement of urban legislation. Conclusion The GeoSampa project and its associated initiatives highlight how adopting open-source geospatial tools fosters transparency, accessibility, and innovation in urban planning. By providing open data, the municipality strengthened citizen participation, supported smarter cities, and improved service delivery. As a developer, I take pride in having contributed to this cartographic transition from static map libraries to dynamic geoprocessing systems. The positive impact on efficiency, transparency, and sustainability demonstrates the power of technology when applied to public administration. Ultimately, São Paulo’s example can inspire other cities to adopt similar practices, reinforcing the role of geographic information as a strategic asset for decision-making and urban development. This transition marks a new era of governance, where open-source geotechnologies enhance collaboration, efficiency, and the quality of life in cities. Sylvia Regina Rodrigues Damiao Sat, 30 May 2026 18:42:00 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.osgeo.org https://video.osgeo.org/lazy-static/avatars/de841c88-3a57-45ac-9eff-a00237356bfc.png https://video.osgeo.org/videos/watch/152c773d-abf3-4baf-a4e6-3fad69cd68f3 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.osgeo.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.