[Talk-us] Why?

[stevea]

Being familiar with the SANDAG data (and less so, its import into 
OSM), the importation of landuse polygons into OSM (having done a 
number of these myself in California), Escondido proper (been there 
many times) and the various ways that California cities grow (often 
with low density, urban sprawl and heavy dependence on 
automobiles...), Escondido doesn't look all that "bad" to me in OSM. 
In fact, especially in its commercial areas, it is one of 
California's better-looking cities in OSM (in my opinion).

What Hans calls a "mega residential area" is actually local zoning 
which says that all properties (parcels) in a given area are zoned 
residential.  While not strictly true that each square meter of this 
area has residential buildings upon it where people live, it is true 
that each square meter of this area is ZONED residential.  In my 
opinion, this is a "loosely correct" way that OSM might represent a 
particular area, though I am quick to add that "capturing zoning with 
landuse= is a good first step to avoid large blank areas, but actual 
on-the-ground data are preferred to simple zoning (landuse=) when 
on-the-ground data are also known."  (I have said exactly this for 
many years in our Santa Cruz County wiki).

So, while we might leave these polygon data alone, we might also 
agree (somewhat strenuously) that a better job of adding actual 
building polygons that represent dwellings (houses, apartments, 
condominiums, dormitories...) is an excellent next step as welcome 
additions to OSM.  Especially as they might contain building:levels 
tags, these can provide a visual representation of the density of 
urban areas which distinctly are "landuse=residential" much better 
than can Escondido's current representation of simply "gray coloring 
punctuated by streets."  In fact, it can be seen that some buildings 
have been added, and some have not.

Call it a work in progress.  OSM, Escondido and Escondido-in-OSM, 
that is.  One brick (building, train station, bike route, pub, park 
bench...) at a time.

SteveA
California