[OSM-dev] Area data type -- again!

[Malcolm Herring]

I don't like this proposal because the structure is made up of nodes 
rather than ways. This will make for extremely tedious construction as 
well as create much more data. Also it is too different from the 
existing multipolygon method of creating generic area geometries. This 
proposed structure would mean that all the tools & consumer apps would 
face big re-writes.

There is nothing wrong with multipolygons except for the fact that they 
are relations. This leads to chaos when multiple area geometries need to 
be associated but do not form a logical single geometric entity. If an 
area data type were defined that incorporates the existing multipolygon 
structure, then all existing code that parse and create multipolygon 
relations would not need re-writing.

My other wish is that disjunct outers be dis-allowed. Where multiple 
complete areas need to be associated, then this is the proper use of 
relations.